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July 4, 2001 · Christen Industries Eagle II · N321JK

Belleview, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 4, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Belleview, FL
Aircraft
Christen Industries Eagle II
Tail Number
N321JK
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL01LA073

According to witnesses, and the two pilots, the Mooney, N6718N, was landing on the uncontrolled grass strip to the south on runway 18, and the Christian Eagle, N321JK,, was on a takeoff roll to the north runway 36. The airplanes collided wing tip to wing tip substantially damaging both airplanes.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot of the Christian Eagle II, N321JK, failure to maintain visual look out, prior to takeoff.

Full Narrative

On July 4, 2001, at 1500 eastern daylight time, a Christian Eagle II, N321JK, taking off to the north, collided with a Mooney M-20, N6718N, landing to the south, at the Backaches air field, an uncontrolled airport, in Belleview, Florida. Both airplanes were being operated by commercial pilots under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plans were filed for the local flights. Neither pilot was injured and both airplanes sustained substantial damage. The Christian Eagle departed the air field in Belleview about 1500, and the Mooney had departed the same air field earlier at 1420. According to witnesses, the Mooney was landing on the grass strip to the south and the Christian Eagle was on a takeoff roll to the north. The airplanes collided wing tip to wing tip, substantially damaging both airplanes. According to the pilot of Christian Eagle, he taxied to the departure end of runway 36, looked for traffic, did a run up and taxied into position. He stated he made a radio call, and started his takeoff roll. He said that as he lifted the tail of the airplane, he saw the Mooney immediately in front of him nose to nose. He said his speed was about 60 mph, and he was unable to avoid the collision. According to the pilot of the Mooney, he had departed the Backaches Airfield about 1420 with two passengers for a local flight. The wind was directly out of the south, as indicated by the wind sock, so he chose to use runway 18 for takeoff. Upon returning to the airport for landing about 40 minutes later, the pilot again checked the windsock and stated it was still indicating that runway 18 was the upwind runway to use. The pilot stated he did a crosswind looking for traffic, entered a downwind, then base, and final to landing. At the end of the landing roll, he saw the Christian Eagle move to a 90 degree position to runway 18. He felt certain that the airplane would depart runway 36. He said he could clearly see him, at the 90 degree position, and was sure that the other airplane saw him. The pilot stated that he had about 40 feet to go before he could turn off onto the taxiway when the Christian Eagle immediately turned and accelerated for a 36 takeoff. The Mooney pilot said he could see that he was not going to make the turnoff and swerved to the right near a fence line. He said that it was at this point that the Christian Eagle struck the outer three feet of his left wing. According to Title 14 CFR Part 91.113(g), "Aircraft, while on final approach to landing or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or operating on the surface." According to Title 14 CFR Part 91.113(e), "When aircraft are approaching each other head-on, or nearly so, each pilot of each aircraft shall alter course to the right."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:01 EDT
Nearest AirportMCMECHEN (0nm N)
Runway36
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChristen Industries Eagle II
Tail NumberN321JK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO-360-A1D · Reciprocating · 200 | Lycoming · IO 360 A1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 76 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 11 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 9500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.15 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data