Mid-Air Collision Between Cessna 208B and Cessna FR 172K North of Dornum

Incident Overview and Location On 6 May 2009, a mid-air collision occurred at approximately 11:16 local time, north of Dornum, Germany. The incident involved two aircraft: a Cessna 208B and a Cessna FR 172K. The collision took place at an altitude of approximately 1,100 feet above mean sea level (AMSL) in the transition area between uncontrolled Class G and controlled Class E airspace. Both aircraft were operating under visual flight rules (VFR) on commercial flights. The Cessna 172 was en route from Wangerooge (EDWG) to Norden-Norddeich (EDWS), while the Cessna 208 was traveling from Emden (EDWE) to Langeoog (EDWL). The Cessna 208 was carrying a pilot and a load assistant. ## Aircraft and Damage The Cessna 208B, a 1996 model with serial number 208B-0523, was a turboprop high-wing monoplane with a fixed tricycle landing gear. It had 4,778 hours of total time and was not equipped with a collision warning device, which was not required by regulations. The Cessna FR 172K, a 1978 model with serial number 0633, was a piston-engine high-wing monoplane with a fixed tricycle landing gear. It had 5,115 hours of total time and also lacked a collision warning device. Following the collision, the right outer wing of the Cessna 208B struck the vertical stabilizer of the Cessna FR 172K, and the right main landing gear of the Cessna 208B struck the right outer wing of the Cessna FR 172K. The Cessna 208B sustained a slit in the right side of its cargo container, deformation of the right landing gear fairing, and damage to the right wing's aileron. The Cessna FR 172K suffered severe damage, with approximately two meters of its right outer wing severed to the spar, and the vertical stabilizer's nose skin torn open. Both aircraft continued their flights and landed safely at their respective destinations. ## Pilot Accounts and Flight Data The pilot of the Cessna 208B reported that the other aircraft appeared suddenly and was not visible beforehand. After the collision, he checked his aircraft's airworthiness and decided to continue to his planned destination. The pilot of the Cessna FR 172K stated that he saw the other aircraft suddenly a few meters ahead, at the same altitude, on a collision course from the left. He reflexively pushed the control yoke forward, heard a loud impact, and the aircraft was pulled to the right. After regaining control, he decided to divert to Emden due to expected strong crosswinds at his original destination, where he made a normal landing. Radar data from the 20 seconds before the collision indicated that the Cessna 172 was on a track of 256° and the Cessna 208 on a track of 32°. Both aircraft were moving toward each other with a mean closing speed of 125 m/s. The Cessna 208 was descending, while the Cessna 172 was in level flight. The mean ground speed was 170 knots for the Cessna 208 and 90 knots for the Cessna FR 172K. ## Meteorological Conditions and Investigation The routine weather report (METAR) for Wittmundhafen (ETNT), approximately 20 km away, at 12:00 local time indicated winds from 300° at 16 knots, with gusts up to 27 knots in the last ten minutes. Visibility was 30 km, with scattered cumulus clouds at 2,200 feet and scattered stratocumulus clouds at 4,800 feet. The temperature was 12°C, the dew point was 6°C, and the QNH was 1,011 hPa. There was no radio contact between the two aircraft. Neither aircraft was equipped with a flight data recorder (FDR) or cockpit voice recorder (CVR), as these were not required by regulations. The investigation was conducted by the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) and was summarized under § 18 FlUUG, focusing solely on the facts.