Accident Overview
On November 10, 2012, at about 1055 eastern standard time, a Vans RV-12 (registration N678AD) and a Boeing E75 Stearman (registration N1370V) collided in midair while on approach to Peach State Airport (GA2) in Williamson, Georgia. Both aircraft were operated by private individuals under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flights. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plans were filed. The pilots of both aircraft were not injured.
Events Leading to Collision
Peach State Airport is a privately owned, non-towered field with an elevation of approximately 930 feet mean sea level (msl) and a traffic pattern altitude of 1,800 feet msl. A Veteran's Day celebration was taking place at the airport. The Stearman was the lead aircraft in a flight of three Stearmans planning to overfly the airport at 1,800 feet msl. The RV-12 pilot reported overflying the airport at about 2,000 feet msl and intending to enter a right downwind for runway 13. The Stearman pilot reported flying from south to north and also planned to enter a right downwind for runway 13, then maneuver for a 360-degree turn over the runway.
Both pilots stated that they communicated their positions and intentions on the airport's common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) and attempted to visually acquire each other before the collision. After the impact, both pilots landed their aircraft without further incident.
Damage and Witness Account
Examination by an FAA inspector revealed substantial damage: the lower left side of the RV-12's fuselage, just aft of the cowling, and the Stearman's rudder were damaged. The RV-12's nose gear fairing showed damage consistent with contact with the Stearman's rudder. An approximate 20-inch portion of the top of the Stearman's rudder was folded to the left about 90 degrees.
A witness operating the Unicom/CTAF frequency reported that the RV-12 pilot announced inbound via an overhead to the right downwind for runway 13. The witness advised the pilot of two other aircraft entering the downwind, and the RV-12 pilot said he would execute a 360 and re-enter. The witness then heard the Stearman pilot report inbound from the southeast for a practice fly-by. About one minute later, the RV-12 pilot reported entering the downwind. The witness observed both aircraft approaching and asked the Stearman if they had the RV-12 in sight, but as he released the microphone key, the two aircraft overlapped. The witness initially believed it was a near-miss.
GPS Data Analysis
The accident was not captured on radar. Both pilots used handheld Garmin GPS receivers, which were sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory. Data could not be extracted from the Stearman's Garmin GPSMAP 96C because the record function was disabled. The RV-12's Garmin GPSMAP 496 provided flight data, showing that the RV-12 overflew the airport at a GPS altitude of about 2,400 feet and entered the downwind leg for runway 13 about 1054. At the time of collision, the RV-12 was at a GPS altitude of about 1,800 feet, heading of about 310 degrees, and airspeed of about 85 knots.
Applicable Regulation
FAA FAR 91.113 (Right-of-way rules: Except water operations) states in part: "...General. When weather conditions permit, regardless of whether an operation is conducted under instrument flight rules or visual flight rules, vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft."