History of Flight
On December 31, 2016, at approximately 1725 central standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200 airplane, registration N4407T, and a Luscombe 8A light sport airplane, registration N2889K, collided in midair about 0.5 mile east of Aero Country Airport (T31) in McKinney, Texas. Both aircraft were destroyed. The private pilot of the Piper and the commercial pilot and passenger on the Luscombe were fatally injured. Each aircraft was owned by a private individual and operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flights. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed for either flight. The Luscombe had just departed T31, and the Piper was returning to the airport.
A pilot-rated witness near midfield at T31 observed the Luscombe depart runway 17 and turn left onto the crosswind leg. The witness then saw the Piper approaching from the west. As the Luscombe turned left onto downwind, the Piper continued eastbound over the runway at midfield at pattern altitude. The Piper struck the aft fuselage of the Luscombe. At impact, the Luscombe was flying north, and the Piper was flying east. The witness saw no indication of either pilot seeing the other. After collision, the Luscombe spun and pitched nose-down as tail pieces separated.
Radar data showed the Piper approaching from the northwest, turning east over the airport at 1,800 ft msl. No transponder signal was received from the Luscombe, but radar returns matched the witness's description. A police cruiser camera captured the collision; both aircraft then spiraled downward. A Go-Pro in the Luscombe cockpit was recording but did not capture the collision.
Personnel Information
The Luscombe pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with single- and multi-engine land ratings and a centerline thrust limitation. His most recent second-class medical certificate was issued May 22, 2003, with no limitations; he listed 325 total flight hours and 6 hours in the previous 6 months. He was reportedly a former US Air Force pilot, but military flight time was unavailable. He was eligible under sport pilot medical rules.
The Piper pilot held a private pilot certificate with single-engine land and instrument ratings. His most recent second-class medical certificate was issued May 25, 2016, requiring corrective lenses. He listed 796.7 total flight hours with 4 hours in the previous 6 months. A logbook in the wreckage showed 815.3 total hours, last flight on November 19, 2016.
Aircraft Information
The Luscombe 8A was a two-seat, high-wing, single-engine airplane with fixed landing gear, powered by an 85-hp Continental C-85 engine and fixed-pitch propeller. It had a modified electrical system including a radio but no transponder. It qualified as a light-sport airplane. Last annual inspection was November 25, 2016, at 3,841.43 hours airframe total time and 485.56 hours since engine major overhaul.
The Piper PA-28R-200 was a four-seat, low-wing, single-engine airplane with retractable landing gear, powered by a 200-hp Lycoming IO-360-C1C engine and constant-speed propeller. Last annual inspection was February 1, 2016, at tachometer time 1,989.28 hours and 91.28 hours since engine top overhaul.
Neither aircraft was equipped with ADS-B, nor was it required.
Meteorological Information
At 1653, the weather station at McKinney National Airport (about 8 miles east) reported wind from 200° at 3 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear sky, temperature 64°F, dew point 43°F, altimeter 29.76 inHg. Astronomical data showed sunset at 1730 and end of civil twilight at 1757.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The Luscombe impacted a residential street east of the airport and came to rest near vertical. Fuel was present; no postcrash fire. Paint and tire transfer marks on the vertical stabilizer and left rear fuselage were attributed to the Piper. A piece of Piper wing skin was among Luscombe wreckage. The left stabilizer and elevator were later found near a dumpster.
The Piper impacted an open concrete area of a storage facility about 0.25 mile east of the Luscombe. Wreckage scattered past the initial impact point and stopped near storage lockers. A postcrash fire consumed part of the wreckage. Impact and fire damage precluded flight control continuity verification; control cables showed overload failures and first responder cuts. Landing gear appeared extended. Several fragments of unidentified metal skin from the Luscombe were found with the Piper wreckage.
Additional Information
FAA Advisory Circular 90-66B provides guidance for non-towered airport operations, including communications and traffic pattern procedures. The circular recommends that aircraft within 10 miles monitor and communicate on the CTAF. Arriving aircraft should be at pattern altitude and enter the downwind at a 45-degree angle abeam the runway midpoint. Midfield crossing entries are permitted with discretion but not when the pattern is congested.
Communications
Neither pilot was in contact with ATC nor required to be. Witnesses heard the Luscombe pilot on the CTAF; other transmissions were heard but source uncertain.
Medical and Pathological Information
Autopsies by the Collin County Medical Examiner determined cause of death for both pilots as blunt force injuries. FAA toxicology tests on both pilots were negative for ethanol and tested drugs; specimens were not tested for cyanide or carbon monoxide.