On June 12, 1986, a Piper PA-18 (registration N8597D) was involved in an aviation accident near Fairbanks, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilots' failure to see and avoid each other, which led to a mid-air collision. Contributing factors included surface conditions and landing gear damage that caused both aircraft to nose over upon impact. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Two aircraft collided during landing operations, resulting in both nosing over due to surface conditions and gear damage. Pilots failed to see each other in time to avoid the impact.
What happened
The pilots of each aircraft reported that the left float and propeller of a Taylorcraft had come into contact with the right wing and right landing gear of a Piper. The pilots failed to see the other aircraft in time to avoid the collision. Both aircraft nosed over during landing due to surface conditions and landing gear damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the mid-air collision and subsequent ground impact. Investigators examined the point of contact between the Taylorcraft's left float and propeller with the Piper's right wing and landing gear. The physical evidence confirmed the nature of the impact described by the pilots.
Findings
The pilots failed to see the other aircraft in time to avoid the collision.
Both aircraft nosed over during landing due to surface conditions and landing gear damage.
Probable cause
The pilots' failure to see and avoid each other, which led to a mid-air collision. Contributing factors included surface conditions and landing gear damage that caused both aircraft to nose over upon impact.
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