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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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May 22, 1987 · Cessna P206 · N2520X

Tehachapi, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 22, 1987
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Tehachapi, CA
Aircraft
Cessna P206
Tail Number
N2520X
Operator
Pacific Aerographics
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX87FA213

An USAF T-38 aircraft and a Cessna 206 aircraft collided in mid-air during visual flight operations in a Military Operations Area. Radar data revealed that the overtaking T-38 collided with the Cessna 206 from the right. The Cessna was on a local government contract terrain photo mission and had almost completed a left 360 degree turn. The T-38 was transiting the MOA in connection with a military mission. Both aircraft were operating under VFR and were not in contact with the MOA controllers. Neither pilot was required to establish or maintain positive radio or radar contact with the air traffic control facility responsible for the area. However, the Airman's Information Manual states 'Pilots operating under VFR should exercise extreme caution while flying within a MOA... Prior to entering an active MOA, pilots should contact the controlling agency for traffic advisories.' Radar and radio assistance was available to either pilot. The T-38 was using a transponder with Mode C readout. The collision occurred at about 8,700 feet MSL.

Full Narrative

AN USAF T-38 AIRCRAFT AND A CESSNA 206 AIRCRAFT COLLIDED IN MID-AIR DURING VISUAL FLIGHT OPERATIONS IN A MILITARY OPERATIONS AREA. RADAR DATA REVEALED THAT THE OVERTAKING T-38 COLLIDED WITH THE CESSNA 206 FROM THE RIGHT. THE CESSNA WAS ON A LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACT TERRAIN PHOTO MISSION AND HAD ALMOST COMPLETED A LEFT 360 DEGREE TURN. THE T-38 WAS TRANSITING THE MOA IN CONNECTION WITH A MILITARY MISSION. BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE OPERATING UNDER VFR AND WERE NOT IN CONTACTWITH THE MOA CONTROLLERS. NEITHER PILOT WAS REQUIRED TO ESTABLISH OR MAINTAIN POSITIVE RADIO OR RADAR CONTACT WITH THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FACILITY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AREA. HOWEVER, THE AIRMAN'S INFORMATION MANUAL STATES 'PILOTS OPERATINGUNDER VFR SHOULD EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHILE FLYING WITHIN A MOA... PRIOR TO ENTERING AN ACTIVE MOA, PILOTS SHOULD CONTACT THE CONTROLLING AGENCY FOR TRAFFIC ADVISORIES.' RADAR AND RADIO ASSISTANCE WAS AVAILABLE TO EITHER PILOT. THE T-38 WAS USING A TRANSPONDER WITH MODE C READOUT. THE COLLISION OCCURRED AT ABOUT 8,700 FEET MSL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:58 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna P206
Tail NumberN2520X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPacific Aerographics
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-A5 · Reciprocating · 285 | Ge · J-85-5H · Turbojet · 2900
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class
Crew 2Age 32 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 5 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data