20111025025752A

On October 25, 2011, about 1610 pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-44-180, N3062H, registered to and operated by hillsboro aviation, hillsboro, Oregon, as a title 14 code of federal regulations (CFR) part 91 instructional flight and a Beech V35, N5938S, registered to and operated by a private individual as a title 14 CFR part 91 personal flight, collided midair about 5 miles northeast of St. Paul, Oregon. The airline transport rated pilot in the Beech V35 sustained fatal injuries. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot receiving instruction in the Piper PA-44-180 were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for either flight. The local flight for the Piper PA-44-180 originated from the mc minnville municipal airport (mmv), mc minnville, Oregon, about 1536, destined for the aurora state airport, aurora, Oregon. The local flight for the Beech V35 originated from the stark's twin oaks airport, hillsboro, Oregon, at 1539. During an interview with the national transportation safety board investigator-in-charge, the CFI onboard the Piper PA-44-180 reported that following an uneventful departure from mmv, they climbed to an altitude of about 5,500 feet mean sea level (MSL) and conducted a series of maneuvers including slow flight, steep turns, and stalls, prior to climbing to an altitude of about 7,500 feet MSL. He then briefed the pilot receiving instruction on the procedures for a simulated emergency decent while conducting various clearing turns. The CFI stated that the pilot receiving instruction then executed the simulated emergency descent and recovered to cruise flight at an altitude of about 4,500 feet MSL. The flight then proceeded on a northerly heading towards uao with the intent of entering the airport traffic pattern. The CFI further reported that while maintaining an altitude of 4,500 feet MSL, he was scanning the area for traffic and observed a single-engine airplane on a convergence course towards his location that appeared to be in a slightly steeper than average descent. He instructed the pilot receiving instruction to initiate a left descending turn in an effort to avoid the observed traffic. Following an approximate 10 to 20-degree heading change, the CFI re-established visual contact with the single-engine aircraft that was behind and above his position. Subsequently, he felt a jolt along with a violent shudder in the airplane followed by an un-commanded left roll and yaw. The CFI immediately took control of the airplane and thought they had possible struck geese. He then initiated an emergency forced landing to a nearby open field. Witnesses located in various aircraft adjacent to the accident site reported that prior to the collision; they observed the Beech V35 on a northerly course in cruise flight. Examination of the accident site revealed that the wreckage of the two airplanes was scattered over an area of about 2 miles. Debris from both airplanes, including the empennage, tail cone, and rear seat, from the Beech V35 and nose cowling from the Piper PA-44-180 were located along the debris path, which was located in champoeg state park. The Beech V35 came to rest upright about 0.3 miles north of the champoeg state park and was mostly consumed by fire. The Piper PA-44-180 came to rest upright in an open field about 1.5 miles west of champoeg state park. The wreckages of both aircraft were recovered to a secure facility awaiting further examination.