Accident Details
A flight instructor and a private pilot were flying a Bellanca airplane in the traffic pattern for several minutes. They were on the fourth approach to the runway when the accident occurred. The private pilot reported flying a "squared off traffic pattern" and was approximately 50 feet above ground level on final approach when the shadow of another airplane passed over.
The pilot of a Piper airplane stated he entered the traffic pattern on the downwind leg but flew a modified base leg to final for noise abatement.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses described the Bellanca as being above and behind the Piper after both airplanes turned final. They observed the Bellanca overtaking the Piper as it descended below the Piper in a slip. Three witnesses said the Bellanca slowed, pitched up, and was struck from behind by the Piper.
One witness noted that the Bellanca's approach was on the runway heading, while the Piper's approach was "tracking inbound left of the centerline on a slight angle."
Communication and Operational Context
The crew of the Bellanca turned off its radios after engine start, and the Piper was not equipped with a communication radio. There was no locally published procedure for flight in and around the traffic pattern, nor were there any depicted "no fly" areas for purposes of noise abatement.
According to the Aeronautical Information Manual: "When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right of way, but it shall not take advantage of this rule to cut in front of another which is on final approach to land, or to overtake that aircraft."
Each pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with their respective airplanes.