Incident Overview
On an unspecified date, two aircraft conducting instrument flight training collided in midair near the Pader intersection, approximately 16 miles southwest of Long Beach Airport (LGB). The aircraft were a Piper PA-28-161, registered as N7646F, and a Mooney M-20K, registered as N231LY. None of the occupants aboard either aircraft sustained injuries.
Sequence of Events
At the time of the collision, N231LY had completed an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to LGB and was executing a visual flight rules (VFR) wings-level climbing missed approach toward the sun. N7646F was performing a right partial panel turn. The two airplanes collided nearly head-on, with the left outboard wing panel of N7646F striking the midspan section of N231LY's left wing.
The certified flight instructor (CFI) aboard N7646F observed N231LY and immediately executed a nose-down evasive maneuver. The CFI aboard N231LY did not perform any evasive action. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time, though a smog layer was present.
After the collision, N7646F landed at John Wayne Airport (SNA) and N231LY landed at LGB without further incident.
Aircraft Information
- N7646F: Piper PA-28-161, a single-engine training aircraft.
- N231LY: Mooney M-20K, a single-engine general aviation aircraft.
Both aircraft were being used for instrument flight training at the time of the occurrence.