Casualties unknown

1993-09-23: Boeing E75 (N43320) — Deland, FL

Deland, FL, US

On September 23, 1993, a Boeing E75 (registration N43320) was involved in an aviation accident near Deland, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE CONFLICTING RIGHT TRAFFIC PATTERN PROCEDURES FOR LANDING THAT WERE BRIEFED TO THE BOEING E75 PILOT BY THE OWNER OF THE AIRSTRIP, AND FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS… 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 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A Boeing E75 and a Cessna 150 collided on final approach at an airstrip during a fly-in after using conflicting traffic patterns. Both aircraft sustained substantial damage; occupants received minor injuries.

Background

During a fly-in event, the airstrip owner advised the pilot of a Boeing E75 (registration N43320) to use a right traffic pattern for landing, citing the number of aircraft involved. Meanwhile, a Cessna 150 (registration N2660J) was arriving from another airport and entered a left traffic pattern for landing on the same runway. Neither a traffic pattern indicator nor a UNICOM radio were installed at the airstrip.

Collision

As the Boeing E75 followed a right pattern and the Cessna 150 followed a left pattern, both aircraft converged on final approach and collided. Just before the collision, the Cessna 150 was below the Boeing E75. Both pilots were monitoring the same radio frequency of a nearby airport, but neither transmitted their intentions for landing.

Aftermath

Both aircraft touched down hard and sustained substantial damage. The occupants of both aircraft received minor injuries. According to the Airman's Information Manual, all turns in the traffic pattern should have been made to the left while approaching to land, unless a traffic pattern indicator indicated otherwise. No such indicator was present at the airstrip.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X13462. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.