Incident Overview
On November 6, 2011, at about 1500 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built RV-6 (registration N62HS) and an Aviat S-2C Pitts collided while landing at Virginia Highlands Airport (VJI) in Abingdon, Virginia. The RV-6 sustained substantial damage, while the Pitts received minor damage. The certificated private pilot of the RV-6 and the certificated airline transport pilot of the Pitts were not injured.
Flight and Weather Conditions
Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, with no flight plans filed for the local flights. The personal flights were conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The recorded weather at VJI at 1455 included clear skies, visibility 10 miles, and wind from 260 degrees at 4 knots.
Sequence of Events
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed both pilots. According to their reports, the RV-6 was equipped with a radio, while the Pitts was not. Both airplanes were in the airport traffic pattern after completing a local flight, flying a visual approach to runway 24. The pilot of the RV-6 flew a "tighter" traffic pattern and made radio calls. The pilot of the Pitts flew a wider traffic pattern and did not see the RV-6 ahead and below. As the airplanes landed nearly simultaneously on runway 24, the propeller of the Pitts contacted and partially separated the empennage of the RV-6.
Pilot Statements
In written reports, the pilot of the RV-6 stated that during the landing rollout, the Pitts landed in the rear of his airplane. The pilot of the Pitts stated that during the landing rollout, as his airplane decelerated normally to 10 to 15 mph, he felt a bump, heard the propeller hit something, and shut the engine down.
Reporting
The FAA inspector added that the pilots did not report the accident, and he learned about it during routine surveillance of the airport. The accident was reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on December 5, 2011.