Incident Overview
On May 15, 2008, at approximately 1415 central daylight time, a single-engine Stinson 108-3 (N6805M) and a single-engine Piper PA-28-161 (N8295X) collided on runway 35 at Northwest Regional Airport (52F) in Roanoke, Texas. The Stinson was in the takeoff roll, while the Piper was in the landing flare. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the Stinson, and the certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot in the Piper were not injured.
Aircraft and Operations
The Stinson was owned and operated by the pilot for a personal flight. The Piper was owned by RTJE Bach Enterprises LLC and operated by US Aviation Group of Denton, Texas, for an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plans were filed for these Part 91 flights.
Pilot Accounts
According to the Stinson pilot, after checking for traffic and announcing his intentions on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF), he began his takeoff roll on runway 35. As the aircraft neared takeoff speed, he heard a loud noise and the airplane stopped. Exiting, he found the Piper resting atop his Stinson.
The CFI in the Piper reported completing four touch-and-go maneuvers. On the downwind leg for the fifth approach, he reduced engine power to idle for a simulated engine-out procedure. On final, he added power to correct the student's low approach. During the landing flare, the instructor heard a thud and realized the aircraft was not flying nor on the ground—they had landed on the Stinson. The student pilot had transmitted position reports for downwind, base, and final. The instructor stated, "At no time during the flight did I see the other aircraft."
Runway and Environmental Factors
Runway 35 is 3,500 feet long and 40 feet wide with a 320-foot displaced threshold due to approximately 50-foot-tall trees south of the approach path. Both pilots reported that the trees contributed to the accident.
Damage
Photographs provided to the NTSB investigator-in-charge showed structural damage to the left wing of the Piper and the upper fuselage of the Stinson.