The accident airplanes were the first two of a flight of six that were traveling to another airport for the pilots and passengers to have breakfast together.
The Cessna 120 departed first as it was a slower airplane and required more time to fly to the destination airport. The Piper PA-28-140 departed about 1 minute 18 seconds later.
Radar data indicated that the second airplane was behind and to the left of the first airplane, until they collided at 3,500′ mean sea level.
It could not be determined why the pilot of the second airplane did not see and avoid the first airplane prior to the collision.
Both airplanes then entered a near-vertical, nose-down descent. Three people died in the crash near North Collins, N.Y.
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the second airplane’s propeller sliced through the first airplane’s empennage, and the first airplane subsequently hit the second airplane’s left wing with its tire, severing an outboard section.
Probable cause: The failure of the second airplane’s pilot to see and avoid the first airplane as he was overtaking the first airplane.
NTSB Identification: ERA16FA324A
This September 2016 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.
So sad. In this gps era, would have been better if they set half mile off track courses, one left of, one right of the base course. Even better: let the faster airplane go first. An extra :10 delay in group final arrival sure beats a midair.
CFIs need to emphasize just how tough it can be to spot traffic even when you’re really keeping a sharp lookout. About every 1,000 hours, I’ve experienced some OMG moments – where did he come from? – all in good solid VFR. Wish TCAS was mandatory equipment.
Hummmmm Low wing airplane hits high wing airplane from below. I’m betting pilot number two was head down in the cockpit playing with his GPS toys instead of looking outside. There isn’t that much cruise speed difference between a C120 and a Cheokee 140 and this accident happened at 3500 feet so it didn’t occur shortly after takeoff. There was time for them to get enough spacing that the second pilot lost sight of the first. Spacing alone doesn’t guarantee a midair isn’t possible, you still have to see traffic to avoid it even if you’re talking on the radio. Can you imagine the radio traffic in this case with six airplane’s trying to tell each other where they are with enough accuracy to actually affect the outcome?
Horrific. Flying in close formation or proximity without proper training is a bad idea and should never be done. Group fly-outs should always be done with big spacing and preliminary discussion over headings and using a inter-plane frequency for the trips.