History of Flight
On November 23, 2008, at 0830 eastern standard time, a Beech V35B, registration N4396W, and a Piper PA-28-161, registration N121DL, collided in midair near Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport (GIF) in Winter Haven, Florida. Both aircraft were operated as personal flights under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for either flight.
The pilot of the Beech airplane reported that he departed from Leeward Air Ranch Airport (FD04) in Ocala, Florida, and was en route to GIF. When the airplane was 7 miles north of GIF at 2000 feet, he reduced airspeed to 160 mph to extend the landing gear and flaps. While checking the automated surface observing system (ASOS) frequency, another airplane appeared at the same altitude. The Beech pilot executed an evasive left turn, but the right wing tip of his airplane made contact with the other airplane. After impact, he maintained control and landed on runway 22 at GIF.
The pilot of the Piper airplane stated that he taxied to runway 4 and announced his northbound departure over the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) for GIF. At 500 feet above ground level (agl), he made another CTAF announcement that he was leaving the traffic pattern northbound. He maneuvered the airplane from a heading of 040 to 360 degrees, climbing at 400 feet per minute. While scanning for traffic, he saw a V-tail Bonanza at his one o'clock position, closing quickly at about 1300 feet agl. He initiated a left bank, but the aircraft collided. He then broadcast an emergency on the GIF CTAF and successfully returned to land on runway 4.
Personnel Information
The Beech pilot, aged 65, held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, multiengine land, single-engine sea, and instrument airplane. His most recent third-class medical certificate was issued on August 6, 2008. He reported 7,869 total flight hours, including 1,856 hours as pilot in command in the accident airplane make and model.
The Piper pilot, aged 28, held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most recent second-class medical certificate was issued on March 17, 2008. He reported 50 total flight hours, including 17 hours as pilot in command in the accident airplane make and model.
Meteorological Information
At 0853, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) at GIF reported wind from 010 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 12 degrees Celsius, dew point 9 degrees Celsius, and altimeter 30.43 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Examination of the Beech airplane revealed that the outer two feet of the right wing had been sheared off, with the remaining right and center wing sections buckled.
Examination of the Piper airplane showed three punctures in the right rear fuselage aft of the baggage door. The right leading edge of the stabilator sustained impact damage. Scraping was observed along the bottom of the cowl and fuselage, and a small piece of the Beech airplane's wing tip was found attached to the bottom of the fuselage.
Additional Information
Chapter 1, "Collision Avoidance," of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3A) provides guidance that all pilots must be alert to potential midair collisions. The general operating and flight rules in 14 CFR Part 91 set forth the "See and Avoid" concept, requiring vigilance at all times by each person operating an aircraft, regardless of whether the operation is under instrument flight rules (IFR) or visual flight rules (VFR).
Federal regulations concerning right-of-way for aircraft in flight (14 CFR 91.113) state that when weather conditions permit, vigilance shall be maintained to see and avoid other aircraft. For aircraft approaching head-on or nearly so, each pilot shall alter course to the right.