Narrative
A Cessna 172M, having departed from Reid-Hillview Airport approximately 6 miles east of San Jose International Airport, improperly entered a right downwind leg for Runway 30R. Simultaneously, a Cessna 320B had initiated a go-around from Runway 30R due to other traffic and was in a climbing turn, also entering the downwind leg for the same runway.
Aircraft Maneuvers
The Cessna 320B was observed in a steep climbing right turn on the crosswind leg. The Cessna 172M was rolling out of a left bank turn and was at approximately a 15-degree left bank when it was seen to roll into an immediate left bank of about 30 degrees and pitch up approximately 15 degrees just prior to the collision. The Cessna 320B initially rolled into a right bank of about 30 degrees during the crosswind maneuver, then continued to increase bank to approximately 60 degrees at the time of the collision. About 1,500 feet of Runway 30R remained when the Cessna 320B executed the crosswind turn.
Air Traffic Control
The tower controller did not observe the Cessna 320B's climbing right turn and expected it to execute a standard go-around. The Airman's Information Manual states that if remaining in the traffic pattern, a turn to the crosswind leg should be commenced beyond the departure end of the runway within 300 feet of pattern altitude.