History of Flight
On September 27, 2014, at approximately 1020 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M (N9679H) and an experimental amateur-built Searey XLS (N89KD) collided in midair about 2 miles southeast of Buffalo-Lancaster Regional Airport (BQR) in Lancaster, New York. The commercial pilot and passenger aboard the Cessna sustained fatal injuries. The pilot of the Searey executed a forced landing into a thicket of low brush, substantially damaging the aircraft; the private pilot and passenger in the Searey were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plans were filed for either aircraft. Both airplanes were participating in an Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Young Eagles event and were on local personal flights that had departed BQR at 1009 (Searey) and 1012 (Cessna). The flights were conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
Witnesses reported that their attention was drawn to the sound of the airplanes or the collision. Both aircraft were traveling westbound when one overtook the other. The Cessna was seen to tip or roll inverted before descending vertically in a spiral, while the Searey descended in a 180-degree turn with engine sounds varying.
Radar data from the FAA showed both aircraft westbound on similar ground tracks. The Cessna was at 1,774 feet and 90 knots groundspeed; the Searey was ahead at 1,575 feet and 70 knots. As the Cessna approached from the east, it descended to 1,625 feet while the Searey climbed to the same altitude. In the final moments before impact, both were at 1,625 feet in close lateral proximity. Radar contact with the Cessna was lost near its accident site; the Searey was depicted in a descending right turn.
The Searey pilot reported feeling a sudden bang and hearing a snapping sound. The aircraft became unresponsive in pitch, so he used engine power to control pitch. Due to limited controllability and trees ahead, he chose to land in the thicket.
The Searey passenger, interviewed the day after, stated she saw a white airplane approaching from above and knew it would hit them. She tried to warn the pilot but lacked time.
Personnel Information
The Cessna pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine land and instrument ratings. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued September 16, 2014, with 2,115 total flight hours.
The Searey pilot held a private pilot certificate with single-engine land, single-engine sea, and instrument ratings. His most recent FAA third-class medical was issued July 10, 2014, with 4,270 total flight hours.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna 172M was manufactured in 1975. Its most recent annual inspection was completed April 25, 2014, at 8,069 total aircraft hours.
The Searey XLS was manufactured in 2014. Its most recent condition inspection was completed January 13, 2014, and it had accrued 160 hours since.
Meteorological Information
Weather at Buffalo International Airport (BUF), 5 miles west of the accident site, at 1054 included clear skies, calm winds, and 10 statute miles visibility.
Aerodrome Information
BQR was beneath the outer ring of Class C airspace surrounding BUF, at an elevation of 752 feet msl. Its single runway 8/26 was 3,199 feet long by 75 feet wide. Traffic pattern altitude was 1,552 feet msl, and the airport was uncontrolled.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The Cessna came to rest nose-down in wooded terrain, severely deformed. Leading edges of both wings were crushed aft. Control continuity was established. Propeller blades displayed twisting, bending, gouging, and chordwise scratching, with spiral striations consistent with a wire strike.
The Searey came to rest upright in a dense thicket. The trailing edge of the right wing flap had parallel slash marks, severed structural tubing with smeared fractures. The cable between the wing strut and empennage was missing a 5-foot section; severed ends showed overload features. The empennage had a vertical opening and parallel slash marks.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy on the Cessna pilot listed the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicological testing was negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and ethanol. Amlodipine (a calcium channel blocker) and salicylate (aspirin metabolite) were detected. The NTSB Chief Medical Officer found no evidence of any medical condition or substance that may have contributed to the accident.
Additional Information
The Young Eagles event was organized per EAA instructions, including a briefing on weather, runway, route, and landmarks. The route involved a straight-out departure east to 1,800 feet, a right turn 10 nautical miles out, and a return track 2 miles south. Pilots used the CTAF for position reports. Airspeeds were not restricted.
A radar study by an NTSB specialist used secondary radar returns and GPS data from the Searey. Simulations indicated that from the Cessna, the Searey would have been below the horizon and just above the cowling, difficult to see against terrain. From the Searey, the Cessna was blocked by the right wing, roof, and aft cabin structure.
The Searey pilot's CTAF reports could not be confirmed as transmissions were not recorded.
FAA Advisory Circular 90-48D and Pamphlet P-8740-51 discuss collision avoidance and the blossom effect, noting that aircraft on a collision course may appear motionless until too close.