What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2001-02-09 involved an American 8KCAB, registration N123WA, at Leesburg, FL.

Ground Collision at Leesburg Municipal Airport Involves Decathlon and Extra 300 (N123WA)

On February 9, 2001, an American 8KCAB (registration N123WA) was involved in an aviation accident near Leesburg, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the pilot of N123WA and the failure of both pilots of N301NL to adequately insure visual separation between their aircraft and other aircraft in the landing pattern, resulting in a runway collision. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

A Decathlon and Extra 300 collided on the ground at Leesburg Municipal Airport after the Decathlon conducted a straight-in approach while the Extra practiced left traffic patterns. Both aircraft were substantially damaged; the Decathlon pilot sustained minor injuries.

Incident Overview

On a date not specified, an American Champion Decathlon and an Extra 300 collided on runway 13 at Leesburg Municipal Airport, an uncontrolled airport. The Decathlon had initiated a long straight-in approach to runway 13, while the Extra 300 was conducting practice landings from a left traffic pattern. The collision occurred as the Decathlon was decelerating during its ground roll and the Extra was in the latter stage of its landing flare. The impact involved the Decathlon's empennage and the Extra's propeller, spinner, and wing leading edge.

Aircraft Damage and Injuries

Forces from the collision caused the Decathlon to become airborne in a nose-high attitude and then execute a roll about its longitudinal axis. The Decathlon came to rest inverted on the runway. The Extra 300 underran the Decathlon, commenced a skid, and sheared its right wheel and brake assembly. Both aircraft sustained substantial damage. The pilot of the Decathlon received minor injuries; the pilot of the Extra 300 was not reported as injured.

Radio Communications

Numerous witnesses reported hearing no radio calls on the proper UNICOM/CTAF frequency from either aircraft. The UNICOM/CTAF frequency had been changed from 122.7 to 122.725, as documented in the Southeast Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD) effective November 30, 2000. The Aeronautical Information Manual, Chapter 4, "Air Traffic Control," recommends that at airports without an operating control tower, pilots should enter the pattern in level flight abeam the midpoint of the runway at pattern altitude (1,000 ft AGL is recommended unless otherwise established), maintain pattern altitude until abeam the approach end of the landing runway on downwind leg, and complete the turn to final at least 1/4 mile from the runway. These recommendations were not directly linked to the cause of the accident in the source.

Airport Information

Leesburg Municipal Airport does not have an operating control tower. The source does not provide additional details about the date, time of day, or weather conditions.

2001-02-09: American 8KCAB (N123WA) — Leesburg, FL