Accident Overview
A single-engine airplane and a multi-engine airplane collided on final approach for a runway, approximately 150 feet above ground level. The pilot of the single-engine airplane was operating in the airport traffic pattern and had been making position reports on the airport's common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). The pilot of the multi-engine airplane made an initial radio call on the CTAF 10 miles from the airport, announcing his intention to perform a straight-in approach for landing.
Communications and Maneuvers
Both pilots continued to make appropriate position reports, but did not communicate with each other until the multi-engine airplane was about one mile from the airport and the single-engine airplane had turned onto the base leg of the traffic pattern for landing. Realizing that the multi-engine airplane was converging upon him, the pilot of the single-engine airplane announced a go-around, and the airplanes collided.
Examination Findings
Examination of the airplanes revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The multi-engine airplane's wing flaps and landing gear were both retracted at the accident site, consistent with the pilot's failure to configure the airplane for landing. Flight track information indicated that the pilot maintained a ground speed of about 180 knots throughout the approach until the collision occurred, which may have reduced the time available for him to see and avoid the single-engine airplane.
Toxicology Reports
The toxicology report for the pilot of the single-engine airplane revealed THC, metabolites for THC, metabolites for cocaine, and ketamine; the low amounts of each drug were not considered causal to the accident. The toxicology report for the multi-engine airplane pilot revealed THC and metabolites of THC; the low amounts of each drug were not considered causal to the accident.
Official Probable Cause
The failure of the pilot of the multi-engine airplane to see and avoid the single-engine airplane while performing a straight-in approach for landing.