On August 11, at approximately 0945 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 150H, operated by a private individual, and a Stinson AT-19, operated by a private individual, collided on final approach to runway 35 at Coronado Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The commercial pilot of the Cessna, the sole occupant on the airplane, received minor injuries. The airline transport pilot of the Stinson, the sole occupant on the second airplane, received minor injuries. Both flights were being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Both flights were local flights, and neither had filed a flight plan.
The pilot of the Stinson said that he departed Coronado Airport at 0830 for local airwork and to practice landings at Double Eagle II Airport. He said that during the flight, his hand held transceiver’s operating status became questionable; he continued to attempt transmissions. Witnesses reported not hearing any transmissions from the Stinson, and an FAA inspector reported that when he examined the radio after the accident, its battery was dead.
The Stinson pilot told the FAA inspector that he flew one approach to a landing at Coronado Airport, but had to go around due to an airplane on the runway. The pilot said that he flew a second traffic pattern and again an airplane took the active runway in front of him. A witness observed the Stinson turn to the east, at 100 to 250 feet above the ground, and disappear for a short time period, and then reappear turning a right short final. Another witness reported that the Stinson performed a “low level 360 degree turn.” The Stinson pilot did not report any deviations from a standard left traffic pattern.
The pilot of the Cessna said that he departed Coronado Airport at 0845 for local airwork. When he entered the traffic pattern for a full stop landing, witnesses reported that they heard the Cessna pilot transmit his position and intentions on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF). The pilot reported that while on final, he “settled” down onto the Stinson during the landing flare.
During the subsequent impact, the Cessna’s right wing, right wing strut, right main landing gear, nose landing gear, nose, propeller, and both wing tips were damaged. Paint transfer was found on the Cessna’s wing and wing strut. The Stinson’s empennage was nearly separated from its fuselage, the right main landing gear was separated from the fuselage, and both wing tips were damaged.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) states that, unless otherwise indicated, all VFR traffic patterns are a rectangular box with left hand turns. Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91.113 and the AIM states that a VFR missed approach to a landing are flown down the runway or in such a manner so as not to fly over an airplane on the runway.
We can only be thankful that both pilots walked away with minor injuries. From the sound of the report it could have been a lot worse.
What went wrong? Usually as with any accident there are a chain of small errors that ultimately lead to the accident.
In this case it first started when the Stinson pilot’s radio failed, which if done properly shouldn’t be a problem. Particularly at the uncontrolled field he was landing at. I can bet most of us have seen pilots land “no radio” this is why vigilance is key at uncontrolled fields.
The Stinson pilot attempted two landings both which lead to a go-around due to other traffic on the runway. After an unsuccessful second attempt the Stinson pilot turned east and momentarily disappeared. The next time anyone saw the Stinson pilot he was on a short right base turning final. Witness also reported they saw the Stinson pilot make a low level 360 degree turn on final!
All while the Cessna 150 pilot was making all of his or her proper radio calls and flying the proper left traffic pattern.
The pilot of the Cessna 150 must have been flying a higher approach and was unable to see what was happening below him. As he rolled out into his landing flare he inadvertently touched down on the Stinson.
Who is to blame here? Really both pilots are at fault, yes maybe one more than the other as we can count the errors the Stinson made. However I find one of the hardest things to teach a student is vigilance. Many of my students when first starting out are happy just making their radio calls and landing the airplane. Yet there are other pilots flying some with radios and others who do not. Listening to the radios to maintain vigilance is a great way to learn what other traffic is doing. However looking outside of the cockpit and double checking each turn before you make it will help everyone in the traffic pattern.
I’m not saying the Cessna pilot should take all of the blame but he or she should have done their part to maintain better vigilance especially at a busy uncontrolled airport.
Help make yourself a safer pilot, listen to others while flying if they call “turning left base runway 23” you should be able to look and identify where that pilot is. Remember radios are not required for uncontrolled field operations. Lift your wing and check before you make any turns.
