What happened
Two aircraft were engaged in an aerial photography mission, with N5113S serving as the primary platform for capturing images. Before departing, the pilots of both N5113S and N4346L coordinated their flight procedures. Following takeoff, both planes proceeded on a southern heading, positioning themselves such that N5113S was located ahead, slightly higher, and to the east of N4346L.
During the mission, the photographer in N5113S completed one roll of film and began reloading the camera. As this process occurred, N4346L approached the position of the lead aircraft. The pilot of N5113S experienced two distinct impacts but did not observe the other aircraft passing beneath them. Upon checking the flight controls, the pilot of N5113S observed N4346L in a spiral descent toward the ground. Physical evidence on the right side of N5113S included multiple paint smears from the contact. The pilot of N4346L, who was the only person on board, sustained one fatality.
Findings
Investigations into the incident identified several contributing factors related to the operation of N4346L. The primary mechanical cause was a structural failure in which the vertical stabilizer and the rudder separated from the aircraft during flight. Regarding the operational aspects, findings indicated that the pilot in command failed to maintain adequate separation, misjudged both altitude and distance, and lacked sufficient in-flight planning. Additionally, errors in decision-making and overconfidence in personal ability were noted as contributing factors to the collision.