Incident Overview
Two aircraft were involved in a midair collision over Richmond, California, while operating between 1,500 and 2,000 feet above ground level. The collision tore the right wing tip off one aircraft, while the other suffered catastrophic structural failure and descended into a warehouse.
Aircraft Details
The first aircraft, registration N103PD, was conducting police surveillance and was circling to the left. The second aircraft, registration N95726, was on a cross-country flight and was flying on a heading of approximately 350 degrees.
Collision and Aftermath
During the collision, the right wing tip of N95726 was torn off. Despite the damage, the pilot of N95726 was able to maintain control and land the aircraft safely. The other aircraft, N103PD, lost its wing during the descent and crashed vertically into a warehouse. The specific nature of injuries, if any, was not disclosed in the official report.
Investigation Status
The incident was documented in an official aviation safety report. No probable cause has been stated by the investigating authorities at this time.