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May 15, 2008 · Piper PA-28-161 · N8295X

Roanoke, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 15, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Roanoke, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N8295X
Operator
Us Aviation Group
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DFW08LA144

While landing, a low-wing airplane collided with a departing high-wing airplane. The high-wing airplane was on the takeoff roll and the low-wing airplane was in the landing flare when the collision occurred. Both airplanes came to rest upright on the runway with the low-wing airplane on top of the high-wing airplane. All three pilots were able to exit unassisted. The high-wing airplane was departing for a local flight and the low-wing airplane was on an instructional flight. The pilot of each airplane reported that they had transmitted their position/intentions on the common traffic control frequency (CTAF). In addition, the pilots reported not seeing the other airplane before the collision occurred. The runway's threshold was displaced 320-feet due to trees, which were approximately 50-feet tall, located just south and along the approach path. The pilot of each airplane reported that the trees contributed to the accident. According to 14 CFR 91.113, Right-of-way rules: Except water operations, "Aircraft, while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or operating on the surface, except that they shall not take advantage of this rule to force an aircraft off the runway surface which has already landed and is attempting to make way for an aircraft on final approach."

NTSB Probable Cause

The departing pilot's inadequate visual lookout resulting in his airplane colliding with the landing airplane. Contributing to the accident was the trees/visual obstructions along the runway's approach path.

Full Narrative

On May 15, 2008, about 1415 central daylight time, a single-engine Stinson 108-3 high-wing airplane, N6805M, and a single-engine Piper PA-28-161 low-wing airplane, N8295X, collided at the Northwest Regional Airport (52F) in Roanoke, Texas. The Stinson was on the takeoff roll and the Piper was in the landing flare when the collision occurred. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, of the Stinson and the certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot in the Piper were not injured. The Stinson was owned and operated by the pilot. The Piper was owned by RTJE Bach Enterprises LLC., of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and operated by US Aviation Group of Denton, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and flight plans were not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flights. The Stinson was being operated as a personal flight and the Piper as an instructional flight. Photographs provided to the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) revealed that the left wing of the Piper and the upper fuselage of the Stinson sustained structural damage. According to the pilot of the Stinson, after looking for approaching traffic he announcing his intentions, via the airport's common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF), to depart runway 35. He then taxied onto runway 35 and began his takeoff roll. As the airplane approached takeoff speed the pilot heard a "loud noise" and the airplane stopped moving. Not knowing what had happened, the pilot elected to exit the airplane. Once out of the airplane the pilot observed the Piper resting on top of his Stinson. The CFI, who was providing instruction in the Piper, reported that he and his student had completed four touch-and-go maneuvers and were performing the fifth when the accident occurred. While abeam the runway numbers, on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 35, the instructor reduced the engine power to idle and asked the student to perform a simulated engine out procedure. While on final approach the instructor added engine power to correct for the student's low approach. Once over the runway the student flared for landing. During the flare the instructor heard a "thud" and observed that the airplane was not flying and was not on the ground. It was then that he realized they had landed on top of the Stinson. The instructor reported that the student pilot had transmitted position reports for the downwind, base, and final legs of the traffic pattern. The instructor further reported, "At no time during the flight did I see the other aircraft." Runway 35 was a 3,500-foot by 40-foot asphalt runway. The runway's threshold was displaced 320-feet due to trees, that were approximately 50-feet tall, located south and along the approach path. The pilot of each airplane reported that the trees contributing to the accident. According to 14 CFR 91.113, Right-of-way rules: Except water operations, "Aircraft, while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or operating on the surface, except that they shall not take advantage of this rule to force an aircraft off the runway surface which has already landed and is attempting to make way for an aircraft on final approach."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 CDT
Nearest AirportNorthwest Regional Airport (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN8295X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorUs Aviation Group
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · PZL6A350-C1R · Reciprocating · 220 | Lycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 65 · Third Class · None
Crew 3Age 23 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.60 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data