Incident Overview
On March 28, 2008, approximately 1130 central daylight time, a Piper PA24-260 low-wing airplane, registration N9097P, and a Schweizer G-164B turbine-powered agricultural bi-wing airplane, registration N36289, collided in-flight near Abbeville, Louisiana. The collision occurred while the PA24 was on final approach to a private airstrip and the G-164B was on final approach to a second private airstrip. The two airstrips were perpendicular to each other and approximately one mile apart.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The PA24 was owned and operated by Cedar Aircraft Inc., of Cherokee, Iowa, and was being operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal flight. The G-164B was owned and operated by Vincent Flying Service Inc., of Kaplan, Louisiana, and was being operated under 14 CFR Part 137 as an aerial application flight. The pilot of the PA24 held a private pilot certificate, and the pilot of the G-164B held a commercial pilot certificate. Both pilots were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plans were filed for either local flight.
Collision Sequence
According to the pilot of the PA24, while on short final for runway 27, he spotted the G-164B approaching on a collision course at "the last second." The PA24 pilot took evasive action; however, the application spreader from the G-164B impacted the vertical stabilizer and rudder of the PA24. Both pilots were able to land successfully at their respective airstrips.
The pilot of the G-164B reported that he had not observed the PA24 before the impact. After landing, he discovered that the airplane's application spreader was missing.
Damage Assessment
Photographs provided to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge revealed that the PA24 vertical stabilizer and rudder sustained structural damage during the impact. The PA24 was substantially damaged, while the G-164B sustained minor damage.