On February 6, 1999, a Cessna 210J (registration N6174F) operated by Robert M. Johnson was involved in an aviation accident near Naples, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: In-flight collision with water while on base turn to final at night for undetermined reasons. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During approach to an airport, a pilot had difficulty locating traffic and received multiple instructions. After acknowledging, the aircraft continued descending out of sight.
Sequence of Events
While on approach to an airport, the pilot contacted the tower when the aircraft was 10 miles southwest of the field. The controller instructed the pilot to report a 2-mile final for runway 05 and advised that the pilot should follow traffic on a midfield downwind. The pilot responded that he was looking for the traffic and asked if it was over the coast.
The controller then informed the pilot that the traffic was midfield base, passing the tower at the pilot's 1 o'clock position. The pilot acknowledged and asked if he should make a left turn. The controller directed a left turn and stated that the traffic was passing from right to left at about one mile. Subsequently, the controller told the pilot to turn base and asked if he had the traffic in sight. The pilot reported seeing something below and inquired if there was any helicopter traffic beneath him. The controller replied no and clarified that the traffic was on a right base at the pilot's 2 o'clock position.
The pilot indicated he did not see the traffic and stated he needed to turn right quickly. The controller provided the traffic's position and cleared the pilot to land. The pilot asked the controller to repeat the clearance. The controller then noted that the pilot was extremely low and asked if he had the traffic in sight. No further communication occurred between the pilot and the controller, and the airplane continued descending until it was out of sight.