This March 2007 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Cessna T210, Cessna 172.
Location: Boerne, Texas.
Injuries: None.
Aircraft damage: Destroyed.
What reportedly happened: The pilot of the Cessna 210, who had logged more than 1,400 hours, told investigators that he was on short final approach at an uncontrolled airport when he realized that he was going to overtake a Cessna 172 that had just lifted off.
The pilot of the C-172, who had 9,100 hours, said he heard the pilot of the 210 announce that he was going around. The C-172 pilot was approximately 50 feet over the runway when he felt something hit his airplane. He thought he had experienced a bird strike.
Both airplanes were able to land safely. After landing it was determined that the propeller of the C-210 had struck the tail of the C-172.
Probable cause: The Cessna 210 pilot’s failure to maintain proper spacing during approach to landing and subsequent go-around, which resulted in a midair collision.
The flight experience of the C-210 pilot was mis-reported as 14,000 hours, when the NTSB report states it to be 1,440 hours.
I can’t help but wonder if the entire truth was reported to NTSB when I
recall the many times I’ve seen an overtaking aircraft pilot deliberately “buzz” a previously-landing aircraft who was perceived to have contributed to a go-around by not vacating a runway. Also, I am
amazed at the number of pilots who believe their radio transmissions are always heard by others and are therefore “binding” upon other pilots. Conversely, pilots should never presume that broadcasts will always predict subsequent actions by other aircraft. Just because someone announces they intend to land….doesn’t mean they give up their right to reject that landing.