Accident Summary
An incident occurred involving a Piper PA-24 and a Beech 1900 at an uncontrolled airport. The Piper pilot reported that while on final approach to runway 21, his wife alerted him to another aircraft. The Piper pilot maneuvered to avoid a collision, but the aircraft subsequently struck the ground, sustaining substantial damage to its right wing and fuselage.
Pilot Statements
The pilot of the Piper stated that at 20 miles west of the airport, he began broadcasting on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF). He announced his position and intentions to land on runway 21, requesting traffic advisories. Hearing no response, he continued with pattern position calls on downwind, base leg, and final. During the final approach, just before touchdown, his wife pointed to an aircraft at their 8 o'clock position. The pilot observed a Beech 1900 on runway 27, accelerating and approaching the intersection of runways 21 and 27. Believing the two aircraft would meet at the intersection, the pilot applied power, raised the nose, and veered left to pass behind the Beech. He reported that seconds later, the aircraft struck the ground in a tail-low attitude just past runway 27 and to the left of runway 21.
The captain of the Beech 1900 reported that Air Route Traffic Control Center cleared them for a visual approach to the airport. They briefed the approach for runway 27, monitored the Airport Weather Observing System, and made an in-range call to their ground station. The captain stated that he made CTAF advisory calls at 20-25, 15, 10, and 5 miles from the airport, and on short final for runway 27. On short final at approximately 200 feet above ground level, a Terrain Clearance Avoidance System traffic advisory indicated a target at +300 feet, which then disappeared. The captain said they touched down, rolled out, and taxied to the gate. He reported hearing no other traffic on the CTAF.
Witness and Examination
Witnesses on the ground monitoring the CTAF reported hearing the Piper pilot call inbound for runway 21 and make three or four additional transmissions. Examination of the Piper's radio showed it was set to the CTAF frequency. Examination of the Beech's radios showed no anomalies. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the incident.