Incident Overview
A Piper PA-30, a low-wing, twin-engine aircraft, and a Cessna 152, a high-wing, single-engine aircraft, were involved in a mid-air collision while operating at 2,000 feet in visual meteorological conditions. The Piper was being flown by a certificated private pilot on an instrument-flight-rules flight plan. The Cessna was being flown by a certificated student pilot on a visual-flight-rules solo instructional flight; the student pilot was not communicating with air traffic control and was not required to do so.
Sequence of Events
An air traffic controller, who was controlling the Piper, advised the Piper pilot of traffic that was ultimately identified as the Cessna. The Piper pilot responded that he was looking for the traffic. The controller then turned his attention to other aircraft. Approximately one minute later, the controller again advised the Piper pilot of traffic at 2,200 feet. Immediately after this transmission, the two airplanes collided.
Radar Data
Radar data showed that between the two controller callouts, the Cessna had altered its course from a general heading of 220 degrees magnetic to a heading of 177 degrees magnetic. The Cessna's altitude encoder indicated that it was 200 feet higher than the Piper, although both aircraft were level at 2,000 feet for reasons that could not be determined.
Environmental and Pilot Factors
At the time of the accident, the sun was 27 degrees above the horizon at a bearing of about 227 degrees. The extent to which the sun position may have affected the Cessna student pilot's ability to see the Piper is unknown. The Piper pilot was required to wear corrective lenses, but it could not be determined whether he was wearing them at the time of the accident.
Investigation Details
The investigation did not establish a probable cause for the collision. No further analysis or conclusions were provided in the official source.