27 Nov 2015: BOEING A75N1(PT17) UNDESIGNAT — Allen Chorman & Son, LLC

27 Nov 2015: BOEING A75N1(PT17) UNDESIGNAT — Allen Chorman & Son, LLC

No fatalities • Farmington, DE, United States

Probable cause

Both pilots' failure to maintain visual separation during landing at an uncontrolled airport. Contributing to the accident was the Mooney pilot's lack of prompt evasive action once the biplane had been spotted on the same runway. In addition, the biplane pilots failure to ensure a clear runway.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

According to the pilots of the Mooney and the Boeing tail-wheel biplane, they arrived at the uncontrolled field and landed on opposing sides of the runway at approximately the same time. The Mooney entered the pattern on a left downwind for runway 34. The pilot stated he made radio calls over the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency at each leg of the traffic pattern. The pilot of the biplane entered the left 45 degree entry for downwind to runway 16 because winds appeared to favor that runway. The biplane was not equipped with a two-way radio. He scanned the area for traffic and did not see any other aircraft. As the pilot of the Mooney touched down on runway 34, he saw the biplane on the opposite end. The Mooney pilot stopped his airplane on the runway and observed the biplane continue to taxi towards him. When it appeared that the biplane was not going to stop, he applied power and took take evasive action to the left. The pilot of the biplane had limited forward visibility due to his nose high tail-wheel configuration. He did not did not see the Mooney until it passed under his right wing and they collided. Neither pilot reported any mechanical problems with their respective airplanes. Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors arrived on scene and confirmed substantial damage to both airplanes. The Mooney tail assembly was partially detached from the fuselage and bent 25 degrees to the left. The bottom right wing spar of the biplane was damaged.

Contributing factors

  • cause Pilot
  • cause Pilot of other aircraft
  • factor Pilot of other aircraft
  • factor Pilot
  • cause Pilot
  • cause Pilot of other aircraft
  • factor Pilot
  • factor Pilot of other aircraft

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 230/03kt, vis 10sm

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