Incident Overview
On July 21, 2019, about 1000 central daylight time, a Mooney M20J airplane, registration N9201A, and a Mooney M20U airplane, registration N197CV, were involved in a mid-air collision near Wittman Regional Airport (OSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Both aircraft sustained minor damage, and neither pilot nor their passengers were injured. Both flights were operated as personal flights under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight Briefing and Intent
According to the pilots of both airplanes, they had briefed mass arrival flight procedures and intended to fly in formation from Dane County Regional Airport - Truax Field (MSN), Madison, Wisconsin, to OSH. The two aircraft formed a two-ship element, with N9201A as the lead and N197CV as the wing. They were to join up with the preceding two-ship element after departing MSN.
Maneuvering and Collision
After takeoff, the pilots of both airplanes were maneuvering into a position to the right of the lead airplane in the preceding element. The pilot of N197CV reported encountering wake turbulence that forced his aircraft above N9201A. The pilot of N9201A observed N197CV above and forward of his right wing, slowing. Both pilots immediately maneuvered to deconflict their airplanes before rejoining the formation and continuing the flight.
Post-Collision and Damage
Neither pilot reported feeling the collision, and no anomalies were noted with either airplane for the remainder of the flight and subsequent landing. After landing, the pilots discovered the damage: N9201A sustained minor damage to the right outboard wing leading edge, and N197CV sustained minor damage to the rudder.