Accident Overview
On July 31, 2009, at approximately 1354 central daylight time, a Cessna 182J (registration N989TP) and a Mooney M20C (registration N3206F) collided in flight while on final approach to runway 31 at Iowa Falls Municipal Airport (IFA), near Iowa Falls, Iowa. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain. The pilot of each airplane sustained minor injuries. Both flights were personal operations conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without flight plans. Daytime visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The Cessna departed Belmond Municipal Airport about 1340, and the Mooney departed Eldora Municipal Airport about 1350; both were destined for IFA.
Witness Accounts
A witness listening to the airport scanner radio stated he heard the Cessna pilot reporting his position several times while entering the pattern, sounding like a typical left traffic pattern for runway 31. He did not hear any other reporting traffic.
The pilot of a Swift airplane, holding on the taxiway for runway 31, reported hearing a Cessna call 4 miles out and elected to wait. After the Cessna called final, he looked up and saw two aircraft on final: the Cessna and a Mooney he had not seen or heard before. He made a radio call stating there were two aircraft on final. From his position, the Mooney appeared lower.
Pilot Statements
The Cessna pilot reported announcing his position on approach starting 11 miles out. On final, he saw a Swift holding on the taxiway and heard a transmission that "there are two airplanes landing." He immediately heard and felt a bang, and his aircraft turned sideways and continued to the runway.
The Mooney pilot reported announcing his position while entering downwind for runway 31. He observed only an airplane holding at the taxiway. As he prepared to reduce power, his left wing rose violently. He lost consciousness, woke up thinking of fire and turned off switches, then became unconscious again until waking in the emergency room. He stated the flight's purpose was to bring the airplane to IFA for its annual inspection.
Aircraft Information
N989TP was a 1966 Cessna 172N (though the initial description identifies it as a Cessna 182J), serial number 18257006, a high-wing, propeller-driven, fixed landing gear, four-seat airplane. Its most recent annual inspection was completed on May 1, 2009, and the airplane had accumulated 4,878 hours of total time.
N3206F was a 1967 Mooney M20C, serial number 680001, a low-wing, all-metal, single-engine, propeller-driven, four-place monoplane with retractable tricycle landing gear. The last recorded annual inspection was dated March 24, 2006, and the airplane had accumulated 3,856 hours of total time.
Pilot Information
The Cessna pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating and a third-class medical certificate dated March 15, 2008. He reported 363 hours total flight time, with 313 hours in the Cessna 182, 58 hours in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, and 2 in the last 24 hours. He passed a flight review on June 28, 2008.
The Mooney pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating and a third-class medical certificate dated August 20, 2007. He reported 810 hours total flight time and 20 minutes in the last 24 hours. He passed a flight review on June 15, 1998.
Weather Conditions
At 1355, the recorded weather at IFA was: wind 230 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition scattered at 4,300, 6,000, and 9,000 feet; temperature 23°C; dew point 13°C; altimeter 29.99 inches of mercury.
Regulatory Excerpt
14 CFR Part 91.113 states that when weather conditions permit, vigilance shall be maintained to see and avoid other aircraft. Aircraft on final approach have the right-of-way, but when two or more aircraft are approaching for landing, the lower-altitude aircraft has the right-of-way, provided it does not cut in front of another on final or overtake it.