Midair Collision Between Cessna 172 and Cessna R182 at Montgomery County Airpark (N738YV)

Incident Overview and Aircraft Involved A midair collision occurred between a Cessna 172, registration N738TV, and a Cessna R182, registration N4445R, while both aircraft were being operated by Congressional Air at Montgomery County Airpark. The Cessna 172 was returning to the airport at an altitude of 2,500 feet during a dual training flight. The Cessna R182 had departed from Baltimore and was also inbound to the airport, but at an altitude of 1,500 feet. ## Sequence of Events The certified flight instructor in the Cessna 172 advised the pilots of the Cessna R182 that he would circle a landfill near the airport and then follow the R182 to the airport. The pilot of the R182 reported seeing the 172 passing in front of his aircraft in the opposite direction at a distance of about one-half to three-quarters of a mile. After a minute, he looked out the right window and saw the 172 converging in a descending right turn. He attempted to avoid a collision but was unable to do so. ## Outcome and Damage The Cessna 172 entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed. The pilot of the Cessna R182 made a forced landing in a wheat field. An examination of the Cessna 172 revealed that about 3-1/2 feet of the left outboard wing section was missing. This section was found embedded in the right side of the Cessna R182's fuselage, just behind the engine.