What happened
On February 1, 2026, at approximately 14:30 CST, a collision occurred involving a Beech V35B, registration N95AB, and a Piper PA28-140, registration N6780W, near Odessa, Texas. The accident took place approximately 10 nautical miles from Odessa Airport-Schlemeyer Field (KODO) during visual meteorological conditions with 10 statute mile visibility.
According to the pilot of N95AB, after canceling an IFR flight plan and checking the automated weather observing system, he announced on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) that he was on a left downwind for runway 11 at 4,500 feet MSL. The pilot reported completing a normal landing on runway 11, but upon applying the brakes, he observed a single-engine aircraft on the runway. The pilot attempted an immediate go-around by applying full power and raising the nose to avoid the other aircraft. During this maneuver, the undercarriage of N95AB struck the other airplane, causing the pilot to lose control.
The pilot of N6780W stated he intended to depart from runway 20 and was monitoring the CTAF. He noted that the fixed-base operator had informed the pilot of N95AB that runway 20 was the favored runway, and that N95AB had acknowledged this. While taxiing northbound and crossing runway 11/29, the pilot reported seeing a brief glimpse of an approaching aircraft while his plane was three-quarters of the way across the runway. The pilot applied full braking to avoid the collision, but N95AB struck his aircraft while appearing to attempt a landing or go-around.
There were no injuries to the two occupants in each aircraft.
The investigation
On-site examination of the aircraft revealed that N95AB passed through the windscreen of N6780W, striking the instrument panel and other structural components. This resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage of N6780W forward of the cockpit A-pillars. The Beech V35B also sustained substantial damage and came to rest off the side of the runway with its left wing partially separated.