Incident Overview
Two airplanes, a Cessna 182 and a Cessna 170, collided in midair approximately 7 miles west of an uncontrolled airport served with Unicom. The collision occurred in Class G airspace at an estimated altitude of 1,000 feet above ground level. Witnesses on Interstate 40 observed both aircraft traveling on opposite headings—the Cessna 182 westbound and the Cessna 170 eastbound—on a collision course.
Witness Accounts
According to witnesses, the pilots of both aircraft attempted to avoid the collision by banking to their left. They saw one wing and debris fall from the sky as both airplanes nosedived to the ground. The wreckage came to rest in a nose-down attitude on cultivated fields about half a mile apart.
Environmental Conditions
Visibility in the vicinity was estimated to be in excess of 20 miles. An airline transport rated pilot who witnessed the accident reported high cirrus clouds present but stated that the sun was setting and the clouds obstructed the sun, resulting in no glare.
Aircraft and Communication
Both airplanes were equipped with two-way radio communication; however, due to damage, the specific frequencies being monitored by each pilot could not be determined. The airport in the area was uncontrolled and provided Unicom service.
Additional Details
The Cessna 182 was traveling westbound, while the Cessna 170 was on an easterly heading, intending to enter the traffic pattern at the airport. No information about the aircraft registrations, the number of occupants, or injuries was provided in the source.