No Answer To Radio Comm Seems To Be First Hint Of Impending
Landing Collision
Last week's midair landing accident between a Pitts Model 12
and a Cessna Skyhawk appears to have some roots in an incomplete
radio call. While the Cessna saw and inquired if the Pitts Model 12
had him in sight, no answer was given and the Cessna had no
clue of the impending collision hazard until the big
radial-engine-powered bipe settled on top of him. Thankfully, there
were only minor injuries, but two aircraft were greatly damaged as
a result.
Repeat after us... SEE And AVOID...
NTSB Identification: WPR09FA246B
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, May 16, 2009 in Burlington, WA
Aircraft: Kilroy Pitts, registration: N133GT
Injuries: 1 Minor, 3 Uninjured.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may
contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
On May 16, 2009, about 1800 a Kilroy Pitts Model 12, N133GT,
landed on the left wing of a Cessna 172M, N70323, while both
airplanes were attempting to land on runway 28 at the Skagit
Airport, Burlington, Washington. Westwind Aviation, Inc., was
operating the Cessna under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) Part 135. The pilot/owner was operating the Pitts
under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. In the Cessna, the airline
transport pilot sustained minor injuries and one passenger was not
injured; in the Pitts, the airline transport pilot and one
passenger were not injured. Both the airplanes sustained
substantial damage. The Cessna departed from Sekiu Airport, Sekiu,
Washington, on an air taxi on-demand passenger flight at about
1720, with the intended destination of Burlington. The Pitts
departed Burlington at an unknown time for a local area flight. Day
visual meteorological conditions prevailed; the Cessna was on a
visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan.
The Cessna pilot reported that as he entered the left downwind
leg of the traffic pattern for runway 28 he observed the Pitts
making a high-speed, low pass over the runway surface. After
reaching 3/4 down the runway, the Pitts began a steep, near
vertical climb. It then appeared to turn left toward the downwind
leg. The Cessna pilot made a transmission over the radio querying
if the Pitts had his airplane in sight. There was no response.
The Cessna pilot continued maneuvering the airplane onto base
and then final approach, making a radio transmission of his
position at each leg. The airplane touched down normal and began to
slow as the pilot applied brakes. While slowing, the pilot felt the
impact of the Pitts landing on top of the left wing. The Pitts
skidded out in front of the Cessna, sliding inverted and backwards
down the runway; the Cessna skidded and nosed over.