No Answer To Radio Comm Seems To Be First Hint Of Impending Landing Collision

Last week's midair landing accident between a Pitts Model 12 and a Cessna Skyhawk appears to have some roots in an incomplete radio call. While the Cessna saw and inquired if the Pitts Model 12 had him in  sight, no answer was given and the Cessna had no clue of the impending collision hazard until the big radial-engine-powered bipe settled on top of him. Thankfully, there were only minor injuries, but two aircraft were greatly damaged as a result.

Repeat after us... SEE And AVOID...

NTSB Identification: WPR09FA246B
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, May 16, 2009 in Burlington, WA
Aircraft: Kilroy Pitts, registration: N133GT
Injuries: 1 Minor, 3 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On May 16, 2009, about 1800 a Kilroy Pitts Model 12, N133GT, landed on the left wing of a Cessna 172M, N70323, while both airplanes were attempting to land on runway 28 at the Skagit Airport, Burlington, Washington. Westwind Aviation, Inc., was operating the Cessna under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135. The pilot/owner was operating the Pitts under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. In the Cessna, the airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries and one passenger was not injured; in the Pitts, the airline transport pilot and one passenger were not injured. Both the airplanes sustained substantial damage. The Cessna departed from Sekiu Airport, Sekiu, Washington, on an air taxi on-demand passenger flight at about 1720, with the intended destination of Burlington. The Pitts departed Burlington at an unknown time for a local area flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed; the Cessna was on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan.

The Cessna pilot reported that as he entered the left downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 28 he observed the Pitts making a high-speed, low pass over the runway surface. After reaching 3/4 down the runway, the Pitts began a steep, near vertical climb. It then appeared to turn left toward the downwind leg. The Cessna pilot made a transmission over the radio querying if the Pitts had his airplane in sight. There was no response.

The Cessna pilot continued maneuvering the airplane onto base and then final approach, making a radio transmission of his position at each leg. The airplane touched down normal and began to slow as the pilot applied brakes. While slowing, the pilot felt the impact of the Pitts landing on top of the left wing. The Pitts skidded out in front of the Cessna, sliding inverted and backwards down the runway; the Cessna skidded and nosed over.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov