Midair Collision Between Piper PA-28-180 and Cessna 210 Near Bradfordville, Florida (N7706N)

Incident Overview and Radar Service Details A midair collision occurred between a Piper PA-28-180 and a Cessna 210 over Bradfordville, Florida. The Piper pilot was transmitting mode C transponder data throughout the period under radar service by TLH ATCT. The controller instructed the Piper pilot to turn to a heading of 090 degrees when the aircraft was approximately 12 miles north of KTLH, its intended destination. About one minute later, the controller assigned the Cessna pilot, who was not transmitting mode C data, a heading of 090 degrees as the aircraft climbed out from an airport just north of KTLH. Radar data indicated that the controller subsequently placed the two aircraft on converging flight paths. ## Controller Instructions and Collision Report The controller then instructed the Piper pilot to descend to 3,000 feet and turn to a heading of 120 degrees. Shortly after these instructions, the Cessna pilot reported to the controller that he had just experienced a midair collision with another aircraft. Both aircraft landed at KTLH without further incident. Both pilots later stated that they did not see the other aircraft before or at the time of impact. The controller did not provide the traffic advisories or safety alerts required in class C airspace to either aircraft before the collision. ## Post-Accident Findings Post-accident analysis of the aircraft revealed damage confined to the topside of the right wing on the Cessna and a bent left main gear strut on the Piper. Post-accident testing of the transponders on both aircraft revealed no anomalies in the Piper airplane. Testing of the Cessna components revealed a 200 feet-per-minute static leak, and the transponder did not transmit the airplane registration during ramp or bench testing with Mode S All Call Interrogation.