VFR Mid-Air Collision Claims Three Lives

On 18 August 2022, at approximately 14:55 PDT, a Cessna 152, registration N49931, and a Cessna 340, registration N740WJ, were involved in a midair collision near Watsonville, California.

Both airplanes were destroyed. The pilot and passenger of N740WJ and the pilot of N49931 were fatally injured. Both aircraft were operated under Part 91.

According to recorded automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data and recorded common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) communications, the Cessna 152 was in the traffic pattern at Watsonville Municipal Airport (WVI) and had completed four touch-and-go landings. The Cessna 340 was northeast of WVI when the pilot reported that he was ten-miles out and planned to descend for a straight in approach to runway 20.

Approximately one-minute later, the pilot of the Cessna 152 reported he was on the crosswind leg, then shortly after reported he was on the downwind leg for runway 20.

The pilot of the Cessna 340 reported that he was three-miles out and straight in for runway 20. Shortly thereafter, the Cessna 340 pilot reported he was one-mile out and straight in for the runway. The pilot of the Cessna twin further stated that he was looking for traffic on left base.

The Cessna 152 pilot reported that he did see the Cessna 340 and that subject aircraft was behind him. The Cessna 152 pilot further stated that he intended to go around, “because you are coming up on me pretty quick.”

Multiple witnesses reported hearing the two pilots communicating over the CTAF. Other witnesses heard and observed the two airplanes collide. A pilot overflying the airport at 1,300-feet MSL reported hearing the pilots of the Cessna 152 and 340 communicating on the WVI CTAF. The overflying pilot focused his attention on the final approach path and observed the Cessna 340 “on the Cessna 152’s tail.”

The Cessna 340 then banked to the right and its left wing struck the Cessna 152. The overflying pilot then observed both airplanes descend to the ground.

Another witness who was in her office near the airport took a photo of the two airplanes as they approached the airport.

The Cessna 340 appeared to be in a steep right bank and the Cessna 152 appeared to be in a slight nose- low attitude.

The Cessna 152 came to rest on the airport property approximately 1,200-feet northeast of the approach end of runway 20. The left wing, from the strut outboard, separated from the airplane and came to rest about 500-feet northeast of the main wreckage. The 152’s left horizontal stabilizer and elevator separated and came to rest about 380-feet northeast of the main wreckage. Two small sections of the Cessna 340’s left tip tank was located near the Cessna 152 wreckage.

The Cessna 340 came to rest in a hangar located on the southeast side of the airport. All major components of the Cessna 340 were located in the debris area.

Both aircraft were recovered and secured in a storage facility pending further examination.

Aero-News extends its condolences to the families and friends of the decedents.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov