Flight History
On May 16, 2009, at about 1800 Pacific daylight time, a Kilroy Pitts Model 12 amateur-built experimental airplane (N133GT) and a Cessna 172M (N70323) collided while both were attempting to land on runway 28 at Skagit Airport, Burlington, Washington. The Cessna, operated by Westwind Aviation, Inc. under 14 CFR Part 135, had touched down and was on the landing roll when the Pitts touched down on the Cessna’s left wing. The Pitts, operated by the pilot/owner under 14 CFR Part 91, then skidded out in front of the Cessna, sliding inverted and backwards down the runway. The Cessna skidded and nosed over.
The Cessna had departed Sekiu Airport, Sekiu, Washington, about 1720 on an air taxi on-demand passenger flight with the intended destination of Burlington. The Pitts departed Jefferson County International Airport, Port Townsend, Washington, about 1730, with a planned destination of Burlington. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed; the Cessna was on a VFR flight plan, while the Pitts did not file a flight plan.
Pilot Reports
The Cessna pilot reported entering the left downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 28 when he observed the Pitts making a high-speed, low pass over the runway surface. After reaching a point about 3/4 down the runway, the Pitts began a steep, near vertical climb and appeared to turn left toward the downwind leg. The Cessna pilot made a radio transmission over the CTAF frequency asking if the Pitts had his airplane in sight, but received no response. He continued onto base and final approach, announcing his position at each leg. After a normal touchdown, while slowing with brakes, he felt the impact of the Pitts landing on top of the left wing.
The Pitts pilot reported completing the traffic pattern for runway 28 while communicating positions on the CTAF. On short final, he aborted the landing due to traffic not yet cleared from the runway, aggressively climbed to pattern altitude, and began a left traffic pattern. On base and final legs, he did not see any other airplanes nor hear any radio traffic. During the flare, the airplane lurched backward and upside down; only after egressing did he realize he had contacted another airplane.
Damage and Injuries
Both airplanes sustained substantial damage. The Cessna’s left wing spar was bent. In the Cessna, the airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries, and the passenger was not injured. In the Pitts, both the airline transport pilot and the passenger were not injured.
Additional Information
14 CFR 91.113, Right-of-way rules, states: "Aircraft, while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or operating on the surface, except that they shall not take advantage of this rule to force an aircraft off the runway surface which has already landed and is attempting to make way for an aircraft on final approach."
The Skagit Regional Airport (BVS) is a public airport at a surveyed elevation of 144 feet. It features two asphalt runways; the longer, runway 10/28, is 5,477 feet long by 100 feet wide. The airport is uncontrolled on weekends, which is when the accident occurred. The CTAF frequency is 123.075 MHz.