Collision Details
On May 21, 2018, about 1230 central daylight time, a white Ryan Navion (N4356K) and a green North American Navion (N8995H) collided in midair near the Walker County Airport-Bevill Field (JFX) in Jasper, Alabama. The white Navion was flown by an airline transport pilot with a passenger; both were uninjured. The green Navion was flown by a private pilot, also uninjured. The white Navion sustained substantial damage to the right wing, while the green Navion received minor damage to the propeller and the underside of the left wing.
Formation Flight Background
Both airplanes were part of a formation flight of four aircraft, practicing for an upcoming airshow. The flight originated from Abernathy Field Airport (GZS) in Pulaski, Tennessee, about 1130, destined for JFX. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal formation flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plans were filed.
Sequence of Events
The formation, initially in a finger-four, heavy left formation, consisted of the lead airplane (#1), the green Navion (#2), the white Navion (#3), and another airplane (#4). Approximately five miles north of JFX, with about 80 ft separation, the lead pilot called for "parade" formation, reducing separation to about 40 ft. The lead then called for a change to echelon right formation. The white Navion pilot initiated a right bank, descended, and decelerated to pass below and behind the green Navion. Due to sun glare, he lost sight of the green Navion and asked his passenger, who reported it was above them. He immediately pushed the nose down when the collision occurred.
Witness Account
The pilot in the #4 position observed the maneuver, initially believing the white Navion was not low enough to pass underneath, but then saw it had clearance. However, just as the white Navion passed beneath, it climbed into the green Navion. After the collision, all four airplanes continued to JFX and landed without further incident.
Damage Assessment
The white Navion's right wing sustained substantial damage, while the green Navion's propeller and left wing underside had minor damage. No other damage was reported.