What happened
While approximately 20 miles west of the airport, the pilot of a Piper PA-24 began making radio calls on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF). The pilot reported his position and announced intentions to land on runway 21 while requesting traffic advisories. Although he made subsequent position calls while entering the pattern, on downwind, on base leg, and on final approach, he received no response.
As the aircraft reached the approach end of runway 21 and was nearly touchdown, a passenger's sudden movement caused the pilot to look toward his 8 o'clock position. The pilot observed a Beech 1900 on runway 27 performing a fast roll toward the intersection of runways 21 and 27. Believing the two aircraft would collide at the intersection, the pilot applied power, pulled the nose up, and veered left to pass behind the other aircraft. This maneuver resulted in the aircraft striking the ground in a tail-low attitude just past runway 27 and to the left of runway 21.
The Piper PA-24 sustained substantial damage to its fuselage and right wing. The crew of the Beech 1900 reported they had been cleared for a visual approach by Air Route Traffic Control Center and had briefed for runway 27. The captain noted that while they received a Terrain Clearance Avoidance System traffic advisory at approximately 200 feet above ground level, the advisory disappeared before touchdown. The crew reported hearing no other traffic on the CTAF.
The investigation
An examination of the Piper aircraft confirmed the radio was set to the correct CTAF frequency. An examination of the radios on the Beech 1900 showed no anomalies. Witnesses on the ground confirmed they heard the Piper making multiple inbound calls for runway 21.