Incident Overview
At approximately 0912:20, a Cessna A150L and a Piper PA28-140 collided while operating under day visual flight rules in visual meteorological conditions. The collision occurred during cruise flight.
Flight Paths
Radar data and data from Global Positioning System receivers in each airplane documented the positions of the two aircraft relative to each other. The Cessna departed from Caldwell Airport (CDW) at about 0905, climbed to a radar altitude of approximately 2,600 feet, and then flew a relatively steady northwest track until the time of the accident.
The Piper departed from Lincoln Park Airport (N07) at about 0909, initially flying south. It then entered a climbing right turn and flew a relatively steady track of 325 degrees. Initially, after turning to the northwest, the Piper was flying ahead and below the Cessna. The Piper continued to climb on a track of 325 degrees to a maximum GPS altitude of 2,680 feet while being overtaken by the Cessna.
Collision and Wreckage
Both airplanes collided while in straight and level flight. After the collision, the airplanes departed from controlled flight. The two wreckage fields were found about 750 feet apart, with the aircraft impacting the ground at separate locations.
Visibility Study
A visibility study using GPS position data was conducted. According to the study, airplane visibility charts indicated the pilot of the Cessna had an approximate 21-second opportunity to acquire the Piper had he been scanning down and to his right while cruising at 2,600 feet. At that time, the Piper was climbing on a southerly track from 375 to 700 feet.
The pilot of the Piper had a 21-second opportunity to acquire the Cessna if he had been scanning forward and to his left while climbing out from 725 to 975 feet and turning from a course of 190 to 250 degrees on departure to the west. The Cessna at that time was traveling northwest, level at 2,600 feet.
The two airplanes continued to converge until the collision. According to the study, the airplanes were not in a position for the respective pilots to see each other during the two and a half minutes that preceded the accident.