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Midair Collision During Landing Sequence at Unspecified Airport (N5293H)

Lakeland, FL, US

On April 5, 2002, a Piper PA-16 (registration N5293H) was involved in an aviation accident near Lakeland, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of PA-16 pilot to maintain a visual lookout and to yield the right-of-way to a lower airplane while on final approach resulting in a midair collision. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An RV6A and PA-16 collided on approach after the RV6A pilot was slow to respond to ATC instructions to side-step to another runway, resulting in both aircraft impacting the ground.

Incident Overview

Two aircraft, an RV6A and a PA-16, were flying in the traffic pattern for landing on runway 27 right. The air traffic controller issued a base leg call to the RV6A pilot, who was slow to respond. Shortly after, the controller called the base leg for the PA-16 pilot.

Sequence of Events

The controller then observed the PA-16 overtaking the RV6A on final approach and instructed the RV6A pilot to side-step to runway 27 left. The RV6A pilot did not acknowledge or comply with this instruction. The controller subsequently instructed the PA-16 pilot to maintain a higher altitude, but the PA-16 pilot also did not respond.

Collision and Impact

The controller saw the nose of the RV6A pitch up violently, and both aircraft subsequently collided with the ground. Post-impact examination revealed that the PA-16's left main landing gear had struck the upper surface of the RV6A's empennage behind the cabin area, and the PA-16's propeller had impacted the RV6A's cockpit area.

Examination Findings

No further details about the circumstances or causes were provided in the official report.

Midair collision

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 5 Apr 2002 Piper PA-16 accident near Lakeland, FL?

An RV6A and PA-16 collided on approach after the RV6A pilot was slow to respond to ATC instructions to side-step to another runway, resulting in both aircraft impacting the ground.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 5 Apr 2002 involved a Piper PA-16, registration N5293H, at Lakeland, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The failure of PA-16 pilot to maintain a visual lookout and to yield the right-of-way to a lower airplane while on final approach resulting in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the failure of both pilot's to adhere to an ATC clearance while landing, and the subsequent in-flight collision of both…

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020411X00499. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.