Midair Collision Between Skyhawk and SeaRey Results In One Plane Down, Two Dead

Updated Report, 0001ET, 09.29.14: After the proper notifications, the names of three of the four persons involved in Saturday's tragic Young Eagle accident have been identified.

Killed in the Cessna 172 Skyhawk was 78 year-old pilot Anthony Mercurio and 14 yeqar-old passenger James Metz. Flying the Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey was pilot 59 year-old Kevin D'Angelo. His nine-year-old female passenger was not ID'ed and is said to have had only minor injuries. Both aircraft were reported to 'clipped wings" in the accident. 

The Skyhawk appears to have impacted the ground in a near vertical attitude, while the SeaRey made a forced landing with some control difficulties and other airframe damage noted. D'Angelo and his passenger reportedly walked away from their forced landing.

Original Report, 1400ET, 09.27.14: ANN is monitoring early reports in which a midair collision, during a Young Eagle event, has apparently resulted in the fatal downing of a Cessna 172 (with two aboard) and the safe recovery of the Experimental amphibious SeaRey.

According to local news reports, an inflight collision occurred six statute miles ESE of the Buffalo-Lancaster Regional Airport (NY) at approximately 1040 local time. The accident involved a Cessna 172 Skyhawk and an experimental Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey (described in numerous media reports as an experimental vehicle, though there is a slight possibility that it may be one of the limited number of factory produced LSAs completed so far). The Cessna was flown by a male pilot and carried a single young male as a passenger... both perished in the accident. The SeaRey, piloted by an adult male and carrying a young female, apparently affected a safe landing and both occupants are relatively OK -- with what are described as 'non-life-threatening injuries.' The SeaRey reportedly made an a safe landing in an Alden, NY, field. The Cessna went down in nearby Lancaster, NY.

The FAA is onscene and investigators are undertaking an initial site survey and investigation.

Preliminary FAA Statement:

”This is preliminary information about an apparent midair collision involving a Cessna 172 aircraft and a SeaRey amateur-built aircraft about six miles east-southeast of Buffalo-Lancaster Regional Airport at about 10:40 am today. We do not have confirmation of the number of persons on board the aircraft. Local authorities told the FAA that the SeaRey landed safely in a field in Alden, NY. The Cessna was located in Lancaster, NY. ... The FAA and the NTSB will investigate. Local authorities will release the names and conditions of the persons on board the aircraft, the FAA will release the aircraft registration after that.”

Preliminary EAA Statement:

"We are saddened to report that there was a fatal accident involving a Young Eagles flight this morning (Sept. 27) at Buffalo-Lancaster Airport in Lancaster, N.Y.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have been informed and immediately moved to investigate the accident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the pilot and passenger involved in the mishap.

What we can confirm thus far is this:

• At around 10:45 a.m. EDT, a Cessna 172 aircraft went down near that airport following contact with what the FAA has reported is a SeaRey aircraft.
• The incident occurred during a Young Eagles rally being held by EAA Chapter 46 (Buffalo, NY). The pilot and passenger aboard the Cessna aircraft were fatally injured in the accident.
• The other aircraft involved landed safety.
• The names of those involved have not yet been released, pending notification of relatives. We will continue to update as details are confirmed."

ANN will update this tragic story as more information is made available and verified...

FMI: www.eaa.org, www.eaa46.org