Incident Overview
A Cirrus SR22 and a Swearingen AS226TC were approaching to land on parallel runways under the control of different controllers on separate tower frequencies. The Swearingen pilot was established on an extended final approach for the left runway, while the Cirrus pilot was flying a right traffic pattern for the right runway.
Sequence of Events
Data from an on-board recording device showed that the Cirrus’ airspeed on the base leg of the approach exceeded the manufacturer’s recommended speed of 90 to 95 knots by more than 50 knots. As the Cirrus turned from base leg to final approach, its flight path carried it through the extended centerline of its assigned runway and into the extended centerline of the left runway, where the collision occurred. At the time of impact, the Cirrus had completed approximately half of its 90-degree turn, and its trajectory indicated it would continue further left of the final approach course for the left runway.
Aftermath
Following the collision, the Swearingen pilot landed the aircraft uneventfully. The Cirrus pilot deployed the airframe parachute system, and the airplane came to rest upright about 3 nautical miles from the airport. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage to their fuselage.
Air Traffic Control Actions
During the approach sequence, the controller working the Swearingen did not issue a traffic advisory to the pilot regarding the location of the Cirrus and the potential conflict. The issuance of traffic information during simultaneous parallel runway operations was required by Federal Aviation Administration Order JO 7110.65Y, which details air traffic control procedures and phraseology. The controller working the Cirrus did issue a traffic advisory to the Cirrus pilot regarding the Swearingen on the parallel approach.
Pilot Actions
Based on available information, the Cirrus pilot utilized a much higher than recommended approach speed, which increased the airplane’s radius of turn. The pilot then misjudged the airplane’s flight path, resulting in the airplane flying through the assigned final approach course and into the path of the parallel runway. The controller did not issue a traffic advisory to the Swearingen pilot regarding the Cirrus. The two airplanes were on different tower frequencies, and had the controller issued an advisory, the Swearingen pilot may have been able to identify the conflict and maneuver to avoid the collision.