Incident Overview
A twin-engine Cessna 310 and a single-engine Cessna 185 were involved in a midair collision. The Cessna 310 was operating under an IFR flight plan. The pilot of the Cessna 310 contacted air traffic control as the aircraft climbed through 2,500 feet above mean sea level. The controller acknowledged the transmission and then heard an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal.
Witness Reports
Witnesses reported seeing the Cessna 310 climbing on a north-northeast heading. Another witness observed the Cessna 185 flying in a westerly direction. The same witness stated that the two airplanes collided and were "engulfed in flames" as they descended toward the ground. Both aircraft impacted the ground at a 90-degree angle, approximately 3/8 mile apart.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the left wing tip section of the Cessna 185 had collided with the left wing tip fuel tank of the Cessna 310. The crushing pattern on the Cessna 185's left wing tip matched the shape of the Cessna 310's wing tip fuel tank.