Aircraft: Piper Warrior, Piper Arrow. Injuries: None. Location: Chandler, Ariz. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: Both airplanes were on instructional flights with a CFI and a student pilot on board each airplane. The collision happened in daytime VFR conditions.
The instructors reported that their students were simulating instrument conditions and were wearing view-limiting devices as they practiced instrument maneuvers. Both instructs reported they were not aware of other aircraft in the area at the time of the accident.
Neither airplane was using flight following services nor did they have any radar guidance during the flight.
A review of recorded radar data for the area depicted two targets on a southwesterly heading, one ahead of the other. The targets were spaced about two miles apart and both were at 4,000 feet MSL. The rear target, the Arrow, turned to a westerly heading, and shortly after, the target identified as the Warrior started a wide right turn. Both airplanes were flying toward each other when the Warrior’s right wing and the Arrow’s left wing collided. Both flight instructors reported that they saw the other airplane only moments before the collision.
After the collision, both airplanes subsequently made uneventful landings.
Probable cause: The failure of both flight instructors to see and avoid the other airplane while providing instrument flight training, which resulted in a midair collision.
NTSB Identification: WPR13LA004A
This October 2012 accident report is are provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Busy airspace or not, everyone has to know what or who is around them, no different then yelling clear before you start the little plane.
Were appropriate prayers said before this flight?
No way did this really happen, after all the Arrow had a PCAS, portable collision avoidance system, on board. Technology will save us all, remember? Seriously glad they got to the ground safely, flight following would have been a good idea in this training environment. After the collision great job of “flying what you have left”.
Good God … in a busy airspace like Phoenix, not using flight following while practicing instrument flying? I don’t care if it is “legal” it shows incredibly poor judgement and four people nearly lost their lives. Both instructors should be suspended for a year for “reckless endangerment.” In all my instrument work in the Detroit Metro area, we never did a single flight like this without being on Flight Following. Insane.
Both CFIs should have their CFI revoked.