# NTSB DFW08LA089: Piper PA24-260, N9097P, Abbeville, LA, March 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 28, 2008, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Abbeville, LA - Coordinates: 29.945554, -92.146942 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9456&lon=-92.1469&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining events: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250); [Approach-VFR pattern final: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 24, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67744 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08LA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67744/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA089 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other approaching airplane. A contributing factor was the close proximity between the two private airstrips. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Not specified (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000/cases.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Not specified (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000/cases.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Piper PA-24-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=7102406), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) A low-wing airplane and a bi-wing airplane collided while each airplane was on final approach to two separate private airstrips. The runways were perpendicular to one another and about one mile apart. The application spreader on the bi-wing airplane impacted the rudder and vertical stabilizer on the low-wing airplane. During the impact, the application spreader separated from the bi-wing airplane and the rudder and vertical stabilizer on the low-wing airplane sustained structural damage. Both pilots were able to land successfully at their respective airstrips. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On March 28, 2008, approximately 1130 central daylight time, a single-engine Piper PA24-260 low-wing airplane, N9097P, and a Schweizer G-164B turbine powered agricultural bi-wing airplane, N36289, collided in-flight while the PA24 was on final approach to a private airstrip and the G-164B was on final approach to a second and perpendicular private airstrip. Both airstrips were located near Abbeville, Louisiana, and were approximately one mile apart. The PA24 was substantially damaged and the G-164B sustained minor damage. The private pilot of the PA24 and the commercial pilot of the G-164B were not injured. The PA24 was owned and operated by Cedar Aircraft Inc., of Cherokee, Iowa. The G-164B was owned and operated by Vincent Flying Service Inc., of Kaplan, Louisiana. The PA24 was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal flight and the G-164B was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and flight plans were not filed for either local flight. The pilot of the PA24 reported that while on short final for runway 27 he spotted the G-164B approaching on a collision course at "the last second." The PA24 pilot took evasive action; however, the application spreader from the G-164B impacted the vertical stabilizer and rudder of the PA24. Both pilots were able to land successfully at their respective airstrips. According to the pilot of the G-164B, he had not observed the PA24 before the impact. After landing he discovered that the airplane's application spreader was missing. Photographs provided to the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) revealed that the PA24 vertical stabilizer and rudder sustained structural damage during the impact. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N9097P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9097P), registered now, S/N 24-4573, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA24-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-4573 - Airframe hours: 2520 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mark P Cedar, doing business as Cedar Aircraft Inc - Registered owner: Cedar Aircraft Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 2007 - Departed: 0R3, ABBEVILLE, LA - Destination: Abbeville, LA ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N36289](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36289-2013-04-15), registration cancelled 2013-04-15, S/N 746B, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER AIRCRAFT CORP G-164B - Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 746B - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-20 550 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Vincent Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Vincent Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Abbeville, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N9097P; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 850 total, 600 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command - Pilot, aircraft N36289; age 67; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; last flight review January 26, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 25,000 total, 20,000 in this make and model, 25,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: ARA, 18 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20080328014581A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080328014581A), Mar 28, 2008: Piper PA24260, Abbeville, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) Piper comanche on short final to private strip was struck near tail section by an agcat at a 90 degree convergence. Comanche suffered substantial damage… - [Accident 20080328013142A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080328013142A), Mar 28, 2008: Scwzer G164B, Abbeville, LA, Minor damage. (-23) Agcat was enroute to field landing strip when it impacted a Piper comanche that was on short final to land at a private strip. Agcat's spreader impacted… ## Other investigations on N9097P (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB LAX88LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA017), Oct 16, 1987: Piper PA-24-260 (N9097P), San Mateo, CA, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.