Accident Overview
On February 1, 2026, about 1430 central standard time, a Beech V35B, registration N9AB, and a Piper PA-28-140, registration N6780W, were substantially damaged in a collision near Odessa, Texas. Each airplane carried two occupants, and none were injured. Both flights were operated as personal flights under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Pilot Accounts
According to the pilot of N9AB, approximately 10 nautical miles from Odessa Airport-Schlemeyer Field (KODO), he canceled his IFR flight plan after sighting the airport. He checked the automated weather observing system (AWOS) and made an announcement on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). He flew over the airport at 4,500 feet msl, entered a left downwind for runway 11, and transmitted “N9AB on downwind for 11.” After a normal landing on runway 11, as he began to apply brakes, he noticed a single-engine airplane on the runway. He immediately applied full power and raised the nose to avoid collision. He felt the undercarriage of his airplane impact the other airplane and subsequently lost control.
The pilot of N6780W reported that he planned to take off from runway 20 and was monitoring the CTAF. According to him, the fixed-base operator had informed N9AB (referred to as N95AB in the report) that runway 20 was the favored runway, and N9AB acknowledged using runway 20 to land. He heard no further transmissions from N9AB. He proceeded northbound toward runway 20, crossing two runways. Before each crossing, he stated that he visually cleared both directions and detected no traffic. While crossing runway 11/29, he looked right, then left, and caught a brief glimpse of an approaching aircraft. At that time, his airplane was about three-quarters of the way across the runway. He applied full braking to avoid the oncoming airplane but was struck by N9AB, which appeared to be attempting a landing or possible go-around on runway 11.
Damage Assessment
On-site examination revealed that N9AB went through the windscreen of N6780W and struck the instrument panel and other structure, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage forward of the cockpit A-pillars. N9AB also sustained substantial damage and came to rest off the side of the runway with its left wing partially separated.