Departure and Collision Location
A Cessna aircraft, registration N4745U, departed from Runway 32 at the Municipal Airport in Wharton, Texas, on a northbound flight. Approximately two minutes later, a Piper aircraft, registration N1038U, also departed from the same airport. About 10 minutes after the Cessna's departure, the two aircraft experienced a mid-air collision approximately 16 nautical miles north-northwest of the departure airport.
Aircraft Configuration at Impact
Evidence revealed that the Cessna was overtaking the Piper at the time of impact. Initial contact occurred while the longitudinal axes of the two aircraft were about parallel and their magnetic headings were near the same. The longitudinal centerline of the Piper was slightly above and slightly right of that of the Cessna; however, the Piper was moving slightly left in relation to the Cessna's flight path.
Post-Impact Sequence
Upon impact, the Cessna pitched up and over the Piper. Its fuselage, weakened by numerous slashes from the Piper's left propeller, folded and separated. The separated section remained under the Piper's left wing throughout the remainder of the accident sequence.