On May 10, 1993, a Cessna 550 (registration N41SM) operated by Meisner Aircraft, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near West Chicago, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The local controller became distracted by inbound traffic and neglected to adequately monitor the departing traffic. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A Piper PA-28 and a Cessna 500 came within 100-300 feet of each other after a controller cleared them for conflicting runway operations. The controller cited distraction by inbound traffic.
Incident Overview
An incident occurred at an airport when a Piper PA-28 (registration N9291W) and a Cessna 500 corporate jet passed within 100 to 300 feet of each other. The local controller had cleared the Piper for a touch-and-go landing on runway 15, and shortly thereafter cleared the Cessna for takeoff on runway 10. The two runways were situated such that the extended centerline of runway 10 crossed the end of runway 15.
Pilot and Controller Statements
According to witnesses, the two airplanes passed in close proximity. The pilot of the Cessna reported that he visually acquired the Piper as both airplanes were in their respective takeoff rolls. The local controller was communicating with three airplanes at the time of the incident. He reported that he became distracted by inbound traffic and neglected to adequately monitor the departing traffic. He stated that he should have issued a full stop landing clearance to the Piper instead of the touch-and-go clearance.
Operational Details
The incident highlights a situation where two aircraft were operating on intersecting runways. The controller's actions led to a loss of separation, as the airplanes came within a few hundred feet of each other. No further details about the location, time of day, or weather conditions were provided in the source.
Probable cause
The local controller became distracted by inbound traffic and neglected to adequately monitor the departing traffic.