Incident Overview
On an unspecified date, a Cessna 207A (registration N800GA) and a Short SC7 (registration N451SA) collided in mid-air approximately 1.49 nautical miles east-northeast of a remote airstrip. The airstrip, located about 18.3 miles west of their common destination, had no control tower. Communications at uncontrolled airports are conducted on a common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF).
Sequence of Events
The pilot of the Cessna 207A was returning to his company base, passing about 2 miles north of the airstrip along the route of flight. Meanwhile, the pilot of the Short SC7 announced his departure from the same airstrip on the CTAF and took off in a northerly direction. He then began a climbing right turn toward the same destination as the Cessna. The two airplanes collided in mid-air, and witnesses observed them spiraling downward from about 800 feet above the ground.
Aftermath
Both airplanes were found lying flat and upright on a frozen lake, entangled together at the accident site. The Cessna's burned wreckage was lying on top of and positioned toward the aft third of the burned wreckage of the Short SC7.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be inadequate visual look-out by the pilots of both airplanes, which resulted in their failure to see-and-avoid each other's airplanes.