Casualties unknown

Piper PA-38 and Piper PA-31 Near Midair Collision Over Addison Airport (N182TC)

Addison, TX, US

On June 10, 1992, a Piper PA-31T (registration N182TC) operated by RR Investments was involved in an aviation accident near Addison, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF THE PA-38, N2603B, TO FOLLOW ATC INSTRUCTIONS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A Piper PA-38 (N2603B) did not follow ATC instructions to 'break east' and instead flew opposite to traffic, passing under a Piper PA-31 (N182TC) with an estimated 50-100 ft vertical separation.

Incident Overview

On an unspecified date, the pilot of a Piper PA-38, registered N2603B, contacted Addison Airport tower from 10 miles north, requesting landing clearance. The tower cleared the aircraft to 'break... east' and enter a left downwind for Runway 15. Two minutes later, the pilot of a Piper PA-31, registered N182TC, called inbound from the south and was cleared to continue inbound for a left downwind for the same runway.

Flight Paths

Recorded radar flight data revealed that the PA-38 did not execute the 'break east' as instructed. Instead, it eventually paralleled the downwind traffic flow in the opposite direction. Meanwhile, the PA-31 proceeded inbound as cleared.

Separation

The PA-38 passed under the PA-31 with an estimated vertical separation of 50 to 100 feet. The incident involved two aircraft: a PA-38 (single-engine) and a PA-31 (twin-engine).

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 10 Jun 1992 Piper PA-31T accident near Addison, TX?

A Piper PA-38 (N2603B) did not follow ATC instructions to 'break east' and instead flew opposite to traffic, passing under a Piper PA-31 (N182TC) with an estimated 50-100 ft vertical separation.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 10 Jun 1992 involved a Piper PA-31T, registration N182TC, operated by RR Investments, at Addison, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF THE PA-38, N2603B, TO FOLLOW ATC INSTRUCTIONS.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X14862. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.