What happened
During an approach to Fort Lauderdale-Executive Airport, a Cessna 421 was instructed by air traffic control to perform a go-around. This instruction was issued because a Cessna 172, registered N739DV, was occupying the runway while its pilot performed a local touch-and-go maneuver.
Approximately twenty seconds after the go-around began, controllers notified the crew of the larger aircraft that the Cessna 172 was positioned to their right. Shortly thereafter, the two planes collided in mid-air near the airfield. The impact caused both aircraft to crash and catch fire upon hitting the ground. There were six fatalities in total, as every person on board both aircraft perished in the accident.
Findings
Official investigations concluded that the primary reason for the accident was an in-flight collision occurring during a go-around because the pilot failed to maintain adequate visual separation from other traffic. The investigation also identified secondary contributing factors, including:
- Air traffic control provided instructions that were either conflicting or improper.
- There was insufficient spacing maintained between aircraft by air traffic controllers.