Incident Overview
On a flight over Shark Valley, two aircraft, N80587 and N1063F, were operating in the same airspace. N80587 had maneuvered around the observation tower at Shark Valley at an altitude of 600 feet, then departed the area climbing toward the southeast at 100 knots. Meanwhile, N1063F was performing slow flight with full flaps extended at approximately 800 feet and a southwesterly heading.
Radar Tracking
Radar data showed the targets of both airplanes crossing. Following the crossing, N1063F turned toward the west and began to fly an erratic path. N80587 continued to climb normally and returned to the Tamiami Airport for landing. One minute after the radar targets crossed, N1063F was lost from radar.
Physical Evidence
Examination of N1063F revealed a tire mark on the upper inboard area of its right wing. This mark best matched the left main tire of N80587. In the area of the tire mark, the rear wing spar of N1063F failed, and the airplane experienced inflight separation of the wings.
Pilot Testimony
The pilot of N80587 did not recall colliding with another airplane or any event that would suggest a collision. He passed a polygraph test to that effect.