What happened
On a clear day, a Cessna 180K and a Beech 95-B55 collided head-on while cruising between 1,500 and 2,000 feet above ground level. The incident occurred approximately 6 miles west of the Tehachapi Airport. Radar data showed the Cessna had departed from the Bakersfield area, initially flying southeast before turning north and then northeast shortly before the impact. Simultaneously, the Beech aircraft was flying west toward Bakersfield in a cruise climb configuration.
The two aircraft were traveling at speeds of approximately 135 knots and 140 knots respectively, resulting in a closing speed of about 275 knots. During the collision, the Cessna's right wing separated, causing the aircraft to descend into the ground. The Beech aircraft sustained a punctured windscreen and fuselage but was able to perform a precautionary landing with no injuries reported.
The investigation
The investigation determined the impact occurred when the Cessna's right main landing gear wheel passed through the upper portion of the Beech's fuselage and the front right windscreen. As the gear moved through the aircraft, the Cessna's right wing lift strut was lacerated by the leading edge of the Beech's vertical stabilizer, leading to the separation of the wing.
The Beech aircraft was equipped with a Traffic Collision Alerting Device (TCAD). The pilot of the Beech reported hearing an audible "traffic" alert and seeing an illuminated target on the annunciator within 200 feet of his altitude in the 1 to 2 o'clock position. Although the pilot searched for the target, it was not visually identified before impact. Neither aircraft was receiving air traffic control services at the time of the accident.