Occurrence Details
On August 22, 2012, at 1604:45 Eastern Daylight Time, a Beechcraft V35B Bonanza (registration N6658R, serial number D-103232) and a Piper PA-28-140 (registration N23SC, serial number 28-21217) collided in midair approximately 1800 feet above sea level near Warrenton, Virginia. The Beechcraft was in a shallow climb heading southbound, operating under visual flight rules for a biennial flight review. The Piper was in level flight heading southeasterly, also under visual flight rules. Following the collision, the Beechcraft broke up in flight and a post-impact fire occurred at its accident site. The Piper conducted a forced landing in a pasture about 6 nautical miles south of Warrenton-Fauquier Airport.
Aircraft and Occupants
The Beechcraft V35B Bonanza carried a pilot and a flight instructor. Both sustained fatal injuries. The Piper PA-28-140 was occupied solely by its pilot, who sustained injuries requiring examination at a local hospital. The Piper was registered to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employee, while the Beechcraft was registered to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) employee.
Investigation
Given the unique circumstances of aircraft ownership and operation involving employees of both the FAA and NTSB, the United States (as the State of Occurrence, represented by the NTSB) and Canada (represented by the Transportation Safety Board) requested and accepted delegation of the accident investigation under paragraph 5.1 of Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The investigation is classified as a class 3 investigation, focusing on a small number of safety issues with potential recommendations.