Mid-air collision and forced landing involving Piper and Cessna

Casualties unknown • Westerly, RI, US

A Piper aircraft experienced a mid-air collision with a Cessna during a second landing attempt, resulting in a forced landing and collapsed landing gear.

What happened

While operating a Piper aircraft, the pilot attempted to land on runway 32. Due to being too high on the initial approach, the pilot aborted the landing and continued in the left-hand traffic pattern, announcing all positions on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF).

The pilot noted that trees obscured the runway threshold and the taxiway during the pattern. During the second attempt, the pilot observed a tail-wheeled Cessna about to enter runway 32. Believing the aircraft would remain on the runway until after the Piper landed, the pilot continued the approach.

Shortly after passing the runway threshold, the pilot heard another engine and experienced an impact with the other aircraft. The pilot observed the Cessna descend toward the ground and performed a forced landing on the runway. The Piper touched down heavily, causing the right main landing gear assembly to collapse, before coming to rest upright on a taxiway. The Cessna came to rest in a nose-down attitude off the right side of the runway.

The investigation

An examination of the approach end area revealed that trees paralleling the taxiway leading to runway 32 visually obscured aircraft flying left-hand traffic patterns. For pilots facing southeast, airborne traffic was not visible until it turned onto final approach.

Probable cause

The collision occurred after a pilot continued an approach despite an aircraft on the runway, compounded by trees obscuring visibility of traffic in the pattern.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2003-11-16 Cessna 180 accident near Westerly, RI?

A Piper aircraft experienced a mid-air collision with a Cessna during a second landing attempt, resulting in a forced landing and collapsed landing gear.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2003-11-16 involved a Cessna 180, registration N34AG, at Westerly, RI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collision occurred after a pilot continued an approach despite an aircraft on the runway, compounded by trees obscuring visibility of traffic in the pattern.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20031120X01934. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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