Two Aircraft Collided On Crossing Runways At Uncontrolled Airport
Two men who were aboard a Cessna 150 airplane taking off from Marion Municipal Airport (KMZZ) in Marion, IN were fatally injured when their plane collided with a Cessna 525 Citation jet that had just landed on a crossing runway.
Television station WRTV reports that the accident occurred just after 1700 local time at the uncontrolled airport. The smaller aircraft clipped the tail of the business jet, and then impacted terrain. A post-impact fire ensued.
The two men aboard the 150 have been identified as 31-year-old Kyle Hibst and 31-year-old David Wittkamper. Both were from Elwood, IN and served on the Pike Creek Township Volunteer Fire Department. The Citation had five people on board. None suffered any injuries
The FAA's initial report indicates that the Cessna 150 was attempting to take off and the Citation had just landed. "The airport in Marion does not have an air traffic control tower. Pilots using the field are expected to announce their intentions on a common radio frequency and to coordinate with one another while on the ground and in the traffic pattern," the FAA said in a statement provided to the station.
(Image from YouTube video captured by Libertafree Liberta)
