Examples of Mid-Air Collision Cases Handled by Wisner Baum
Cessna 130P and Cessna 172N Collision — On May 18, 2009, while performing practice turns in a common practice area about five miles south of the Long Beach Harbor in California, a flight training plane occupied by an instructor and student was hit by another plane, operated by a certified airline transport pilot. The resulting crash killed all three occupants of the two Cessna planes.
Cessna 172N and Cessna 150M Collision — On January 20, 2008, after one Cessna turned and entered the traffic pattern to land on a runway at Corona Municipal Airport in Corona, California, it collided at a perpendicular angle with another Cessna that had just taken off from the same runway. Both pilots and their passengers, totaling in four people, were killed during the accident. An additional person on the ground was also killed by falling debris.
Piper PA-28-180 and Piper PA-44-180 Collision – On March 7, 1996, a privately registered Piper PA-28-180 and a Piper PA-44-180 registered to Phoenix East Aviation, Inc., collided in flight. The planes were approximately 600 feet above sea level and around one-quarter of a mile offshore of Flagler Beach, Florida. Both flights took off from the Daytona Beach Regional Airport in Florida and both aircraft were destroyed. The pilot and three passengers on the privately registered Piper—which was on a sightseeing flight—and the certified flight instructor and pilot-rated student on the Phoenix East Piper all died in the collision. A witness reported that neither pilot took evasive action before the collision. Both planes plummeted into the water after the collision. The NTSB blamed the crash on the failure of both pilots to maintain visual lookout and avoid conflicting traffic.
Cessna 182R and Cessna 170A Collision – On February 24, 1996, a Cessna 182R and a Cessna 170A collided approximately 1,000 feet above the ground in Proctor, AR. All four people died in the collision. Witnesses said the two planes were traveling in opposite directions on a collision course. Both planes banked to the left to avoid a collision but were unable to do so. After the planes collided, they descended to the ground, ultimately coming to rest nose-down approximately one-half mile apart. A pilot who witnessed the collision said there was no glare from the sun setting and visibility was estimated at more than 20 miles. The NTSB blamed the crash on the failure of the pilots to see and avoid the other plane.
Beech A36 and Stinson 108-2 Collision – On February 19, 1989, a Beech A36 Bonanza and a Stinson 108-2 collided midair above Glen Falls, NY, killing six people. The Bonanza had just taken off from Warren County airport and had turned right while beginning its climb at the same time the Stinson was returning to the airport. The planes collided approximately one mile north of the uncontrolled airport. The NTSB attributed the crash to failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other. Related factors included failure of the Beechcraft to make a normal left turn out of traffic and glare from the sun affecting the Stinson pilot’s visual perception.
McDonnell-Douglas DC-9 and Piper PA-28-181 Archer Collision – On August 31, 1986, a McDonnell-Douglas DC-9 operating as Aeromexico Flight 498 was clipped by a Piper PA-28-181 Archer during its descent into Los Angeles International Airport. Both planes plummeted from the sky, crashing in the Los Angeles suburb of Cerritos. All 67 individuals aboard both planes were killed as were 15 people on the ground. Two individuals on the ground suffered severe emotional distress, including post-traumatic stress disorder, even through not physically struck by debris from the crash. Investigators placed equal blame for the crash on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the pilot of the Piper.
Boeing 727-214 and Cessna 172 Collision – On September 25, 1978, A Boeing 727-214 operating as Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 182 collided with a Cessna 172 over the San Diego neighborhood of North Park. All 137 people aboard both planes were killed in the mid-air collision, along with seven people on the ground. The NTSB found that the crash was probably caused by the failure of the Pacific Southwest Airlines flight crew to properly follow air traffic control procedures.
For immediate assistance with any kind of aviation disaster or to schedule a free consultation or case evaluation with an experienced aviation accident attorney, please contact Wisner Baum.