History of Flight
On April 2, 2018, at 1709 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150 airplane, N5614E, and a Cessna 525 business jet, N511AC, collided at Marion Municipal Airport (MZZ), Marion, Indiana. The private pilot and one passenger aboard the Cessna 150 sustained fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The airline transport pilot and four passengers aboard the Cessna 525 were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. Both flights were conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The Cessna 525 flight originated from Jackson, Michigan, on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan and was performing a visual landing approach to runway 22. The Cessna 150 was departing runway 15 on a local visual flight rules personal flight.
The pilot of the Cessna 525 stated that he canceled his IFR flight plan with air traffic control about 5 to 10 miles from MZZ. He did not recall announcing his approach on the airport's UNICOM frequency, and the airplane's traffic collision avoidance system showed no traffic at the airport. He did not see the Cessna 150 during the straight-in visual approach or the landing roll. After landing on runway 22, while approaching the intersection with runway 15, he thought he saw something out of the right cockpit window and felt the airplane yaw. He stopped, turned around, taxied back, and stopped. The four passengers also reported not seeing the Cessna 150.
Three witnesses in the airport lounge heard the Cessna 150 pilot announce on UNICOM a few minutes before the accident that the airplane was back-taxiing on runway 15. They reported that the Cessna 150 had just become airborne when it collided with the empennage of the Cessna 525 at the intersection of runways 15 and 22. The Cessna 525's cockpit voice recorder captured no incoming or outgoing radio transmissions on the MZZ UNICOM frequency.
Personnel Information
The Cessna 150 pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating. His most recent third-class FAA medical certificate was issued on May 3, 2017. According to his pilot logbook, he had 71.9 total flight hours, with 10.7 hours in the Cessna 150.
The Cessna 525 pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with single- and multi-engine land and instrument ratings, as well as a flight instructor certificate. He reported 35,437 total flight hours, with 2,537 hours in the Cessna 525.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna 150 was a two-seat, high-wing airplane manufactured in 1958, powered by a Continental O-200 engine with a McCauley propeller. Its most recent annual inspection was completed on January 1, 2018, at a total airframe time of 4,035 hours. The pilot had purchased the airplane on January 25, 2018. The airplane was painted white.
The Cessna 525 was a 10-seat, low-wing business jet manufactured in 2012, powered by two Williams turbojet engines. Its most recent annual inspection was completed on March 9, 2018, at a total airframe time of 2,524 hours. The airplane was based at MZZ and operated by Avis Industrial Corporation. It was painted white.
Meteorological Information
Recorded weather at MZZ at 1655 included wind from 140° at 9 knots, visibility 4 statute miles with haze, clear skies, temperature 5°C, dew point -1°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.01 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The Cessna 150 came to rest on its right side in the grass adjacent to runway 15 on a 110° magnetic heading. The wreckage exhibited extensive fire damage. The left wing had leading edge crush damage along its span. All flight control surfaces were attached, and control cable continuity was established from the surfaces to the cockpit. The wing flap and elevator trim positions could not be determined due to impact damage. The fuel selector handle and valve were fire-damaged, and their positions could not be determined. Both fuel tanks were compromised and fire-damaged. Impact damage prevented examination of the environmental systems, transponder, and emergency locator transmitter. The cabin was destroyed by postimpact fire. Both lap belt buckles were found latched. The engine had severe fire damage. Examination revealed no evidence of pre-impact abnormalities of the airframe or engine.
The Cessna 525 was on runway 22 on a 40° magnetic heading. The empennage was separated from the fuselage and came to rest in the grass adjacent to runway 22. The rudder remained attached to the vertical stabilizer, and the elevator remained attached to the horizontal stabilizer. The right engine nacelle displayed impact damage. Leading edge crush damage was observed on the vertical stabilizer. No damage was noted to the rest of the airplane. Flight control cable continuity was established, and no pre-impact abnormalities were found.
Additional Information
A small unmanned aircraft system was used to map and conduct viewpoint flights of the crossing runways, infield area, and impact area. About 1,400 high-resolution photos and videos were gathered and processed to create a visibility assessment, which confirmed the visibility restrictions posted on airport signage at the approach and departure ends of the runways.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy on the Cessna 150 pilot conducted by the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology testing by the FAA was negative for carbon monoxide and alcohol; 50.33 µg/ml of Acetaminophen was present but was not considered impairing.