One Down, One Lands Safely

One person is dead after a Cessna 150 collided with a Piper Twin Comanche at Clearwater AirPark (FL) Saturday. The wreckage of the Cessna impacted the Earth just 20 feet or so from a crowd of children and adults. No one on the ground was injured.

The Comanche, registered to 77-year old John W. Collins of Lakeland, flew to Winter Haven (FL). No one on board that aircraft was injured.

David King, a spokesman for the company that runs the AirPark, says 79-year old Bela Toth's plane had just taken off eastbound and was executing a 180 degree turn to the west when it collided with the Twin Comanche, which was on approach. The two planes collided over Clearwater's Long Center, where about 800 people had gathered for a swim meet.

Clearwater AirPark doesn't have a tower. The NTSB investigation will, of course, include a look at transcripts from conversations either pilot may have had with ATC.

"Neither pilot was in the wrong," said FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen. "They were both following the exact procedures they should be following. It happens. There's no reason for it. There's no way to explain it other than the word 'accident.'"

"Somebody didn't communicate with somebody," said pilot Vern Ellsworth, who flies out of Clearwater AirPark. "That's all."

FMI: www.clearwaterairpark.com