Overview
A midair collision occurred between a Cessna 210, registration N784RF, and a Cessna 180, registration N3313D, in the vicinity between two TRACON facilities. The collision was described as near head-on, with the right wing of the Cessna 210 contacting the left wing of the Cessna 180. Both wings separated approximately mid-span at a roughly 90-degree orientation relative to each other.
Flight Details of Cessna 210
After departing from Sacramento, the pilot of the Cessna 210 declined further radar traffic advisories. The aircraft was climbing on a heading of about 152 degrees. The pilot had changed radio frequency to receive weather advisories for the destination airport.
Flight Details of Cessna 180
The Cessna 180 was in cruise flight at an altitude of 3,100 feet on a heading of about 307 degrees. The pilot had just terminated participation in receiving radar traffic advisories from the Stockton TRACON.
Collision
The two airplanes collided near head-on approximately halfway between two TRACON facilities. The impact occurred between the right wing of the Cessna 210 and the left wing of the Cessna 180, severing both wings about mid-span in a near-perpendicular orientation.
Visibility
Visibility at the time was reported as 10 miles in haze. However, other pilots in the area reported that smoke limited visibility to between 1 and 5 miles.
Radar Information
Both aircraft were equipped with Mode C altitude encoding transponders. Prior to the collision, both aircraft were depicted on radar.