What happened
Two aircraft were involved in a mid-air collision while being ferried in the vicinity of Santa Ynez Airport. The weather conditions at the time were visual meteorological conditions (VMC), indicating clear skies and good visibility. Despite these favorable conditions, the pilots of both aircraft reported that they did not see each other prior to impact.
Following the collision, N8711 sustained substantial damage to its airframe. The pilot managed to land at Santa Ynez Airport, but lost control during the rollout phase and ran off the runway. The second aircraft, N753CW, received minor damage and was able to land with one engine shut down.
The investigation
Investigation into the incident focused on the mechanical condition of both aircraft following the collision. Evidence indicated that N8711 had sustained substantial damage during the mid-air event, which contributed to the loss of control upon landing. N753CW suffered minor damage and landed with a non-functional engine.
Findings
Contributing factors to the accident included the failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other aircraft despite visual conditions. The collision resulted in significant structural damage to one aircraft and minor damage to the other, leading to a runway excursion for N8711. No injuries were reported.
Safety message
This incident highlights the critical importance of situational awareness and visual scanning during flight operations, even under clear weather conditions. Pilots must remain vigilant to prevent mid-air collisions when operating in shared airspace.