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May 17, 2009 · Cessna 172 M · N70323

Burlington, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 17, 2009
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Burlington, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 172 M
Tail Number
N70323
Operator
Westwind Aviation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR09FA246

The Cessna pilot reported that as he entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern he observed the Pitts making a high-speed, low pass over the runway surface. After reaching a point 3/4 down the runway, the Pitts began a steep, near vertical climb. It then appeared to turn toward the downwind leg. The Cessna pilot made a transmission over the common traffic advisory (CTAF) frequency querying if the Pitts had his airplane in sight. There was no response. The Cessna pilot continued maneuvering the airplane onto base and then final approach, making a radio transmission of his position at each leg. The Cessna touched down normally and began to slow as the pilot applied brakes. While the Cessna slowed, the Pitts landed on top of the left wing. The Pitts skidded out in front of the Cessna, sliding inverted and backwards down the runway; the Cessna skidded and nosed over. The Pitts pilot reported that he aborted his first landing approach due to traffic that had not yet cleared the runway, aggressively ascended to traffic pattern altitude, and began a left traffic pattern. The Pitts pilot stated that during his second approach, he did not see any other airplanes, nor did he hear any other traffic over the CTAF, which he was monitoring. According to 14 CFR 91.113, "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."

NTSB Probable Cause

Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring other aircraft-Pilot of other aircraft - C

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 16, 2009, about 1800 Pacific daylight time, a Kilroy Pitts Model 12 amateur-built experimental airplane, N133GT, collided with a Cessna 172M, N70323, while both airplanes were attempting to land on runway 28 at the Skagit Airport, Burlington, Washington. The Cessna had touched down and was on the landing roll when the Pitts touched down on the Cessna’s left wing. Westwind Aviation, Inc., was operating the Cessna under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135. The pilot/owner was operating the Pitts under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. In the Cessna, the airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger was not injured; in the Pitts, both the airline transport pilot and the passenger were not injured. Both the airplanes sustained substantial damage. The Cessna departed from Sekiu Airport, Sekiu, Washington, on an air taxi on-demand passenger flight about 1720, with the intended destination of Burlington. The Pitts departed Jefferson County International Airport, Port Townsend, Washington, about 1730, with a planned destination of Burlington. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed; the Cessna was on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan and the Pitts did not file a flight plan. The Cessna pilot reported that as he entered the left downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 28, he observed the Pitts making a high-speed, low pass over the runway surface. After reaching a point about 3/4 down the runway, the Pitts began a steep, near vertical climb. It then appeared to turn left toward the downwind leg. The Cessna pilot made a radio transmission over the common traffic advisory (CTAF) frequency querying if the Pitts had his airplane in sight. There was no response. The Cessna pilot continued maneuvering the airplane onto base and then final approach, making a radio transmission of his position at each leg. The airplane touched down normally and began to slow as the pilot applied brakes. While slowing, the pilot felt the impact of the Pitts landing on top of the left wing. The Pitts skidded out in front of the Cessna, sliding inverted and backwards down the runway; the Cessna skidded and nosed over. The Pitts pilot reported that he completed the traffic pattern for runway 28 while communicating the airplane's positions on the CTAF. When the airplane was on short final, he opted to abort the landing due to traffic that had not yet cleared the runway. He aggressively ascended to traffic pattern altitude and began a left traffic pattern. While on the base leg and final approach he did not see any other airplanes, nor did he hear any other traffic over the radio. During the landing flare, the airplane lurched backward and upside down. Not until after egressing the airplane did he realize that he had contacted another airplane. The Cessna's left wing spar was bent. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 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." The Skagit Regional Airport (BVS) is a public airport at a surveyed elevation of 144 feet. The airport features two asphalt runways, the longer of which is runway 10/28, which is 5,477 feet long by 100 feet wide. The airport is uncontrolled on weekends, which is when the accident occurred. The CTAF for the airport is 123.075 MHz.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 PDT
Nearest AirportSkagit Regional Airport (0nm)
Runway28
Runway Length5477 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 M
Tail NumberN70323
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWestwind Aviation
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 160 | Vedeneyev · Mk-14II · Reciprocating · 280
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 46
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Observation Time01:10
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data