Mid-air collision between PA-28 and CE-T207A

Casualties unknown • Banning, CA, US

Two aircraft collided in mid-air approximately two miles north of an airport during aerial photography maneuvers, resulting in both planes crashing to the ground.

What happened

The PA-28, registration N4512Z, was flying westbound in level flight at approximately 1,000 feet AGL. The aircraft was positioned about two miles north of an airport where an intermediate stop had been planned.

Simultaneously, a Cessna T207A, registration N6383H, was performing left turns for the purpose of aerial photography. This aircraft had just begun a turn toward the east when the collision occurred. The left wings of both aircraft struck one another during the encounter.

According to witnesses, the pilot of the N4512Z attempted an evasive maneuver approximately two seconds before impact by initiating a climbing right turn. Despite this attempt, both aircraft continued past each other and subsequently spiraled to the ground. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were clear with visibility of 3 miles in haze. Neither aircraft was in contact with any FAA facility via radar or voice.

Findings

The investigation determined that the collision occurred while one aircraft was conducting photography maneuvers and the other was in level flight.

Probable cause

The mid-air collision occurred while one aircraft was performing aerial photography maneuvers and the other was in level flight, with neither aircraft in communication with air traffic control.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1994-06-09 Piper PA-28-161 accident near Banning, CA?

Two aircraft collided in mid-air approximately two miles north of an airport during aerial photography maneuvers, resulting in both planes crashing to the ground.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1994-06-09 involved a Piper PA-28-161, registration N4512Z, operated by Air Desert Pacific, at Banning, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The mid-air collision occurred while one aircraft was performing aerial photography maneuvers and the other was in level flight, with neither aircraft in communication with air traffic control.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X01549. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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