LAX04FA301

A Bellanca 7ECA Citabria and an experimental Thorp T-18 collided in flight during separate local area flights along the southern California shoreline. Both airplanes impacted the ocean in the area of the collision. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, with no visibility restrictions. Review of the recorded radar data showed the Citabria as a primary target with no mode C altitude reporting. The Thorp was identified as a secondary 1200 VFR beacon code with mode C altitude reporting. The Citabria's target radar track showed it flying south over the coastal hills until it intersected with the shoreline. At the shoreline, the Citabria's target passed in front of the Thorp's radar target and continued southbound until it was about 0.75 nautical miles (nm) offshore. The Citabria's radar target then turned left 180 degrees, heading back toward the north. The Thorp target flew along the coastline until about 8 nm northwest of the accident site. The target made a right 180-degree turn, and started to track back along the coastline. About 2 nm northwest of the collision point, the target's mode C reported an altitude of 2,400 feet mean sea level (msl). The target's mode C altitude radar return continued to increase in altitude until the radar track stopped. At this time, the separation between the two targets was about 0.5 nm. The radar track shows the Thorp's target continued eastbound along the coast in a slight climb, and the Citabria's target continued northbound until radar contact with the Thorp was lost at 1729:37, at an altitude of 2,900 feet msl. The radar target on the Citabria was lost at 1730:10. The radar tracks of both aircraft were approximately perpendicular in the last minutes of flight. Both aircraft impacted the water after the midair collision. The Citabria washed ashore on the beach. The Thorp impacted the water about 150 yards east of the Citabria and sank in about 20 feet of water. Both airplanes were destroyed during the collision and impact sequence with the water, and further damaged by tidal action prior to and during the recovery process. All flight control components and control surfaces for the Citabria were accounted for in the recovered wreckage. The left wing strut, which was white in color, was missing and not recovered from the ocean. An examination of the Citabria wreckage for paint transfer marks from the Thorp met with negative results. Examination of the Thorp was inhibited due to the damage to the airplane wreckage by the post accident impact with the ocean and the subsequent tidal action prior to and during the recovery process. The examination of the propeller revealed white in color paint transfers marks beginning close to the hub and extending outward toward the tip. At the tip of one of the blades there was a large gouge on the leading edge. An examination of the Thorp wreckage for paint transfer marks revealed a series of light blue paint transfers on the underside of the right horizontal stabilizer cap. The light blue paint was similar to the coloration of the Citabria. Both airplanes were operating in uncontrolled class 'G' airspace when the collision occurred.

A Bellanca 7ECA Citabria and an experimental Thorp T-18 collided in flight during separate local area flights along the southern California shoreline. Both airplanes impacted the ocean in the area of the collision. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, with no visibility restrictions. Review of the recorded radar data showed the Citabria as a primary target with no mode C altitude reporting. The Thorp was identified as a secondary 1200 VFR beacon code with mode C altitude reporting. The Citabria's target radar track showed it flying south over the coastal hills until it intersected with the shoreline. At the shoreline, the Citabria's target passed in front of the Thorp's radar target and continued southbound until it was about 0.75 nautical miles (nm) offshore. The Citabria's radar target then turned left 180 degrees, heading back toward the north. The Thorp target flew along the coastline until about 8 nm northwest of the accident site. The target made a right 180-degree turn, and started to track back along the coastline. About 2 nm northwest of the collision point, the target's mode C reported an altitude of 2,400 feet msl. The target's mode C altitude radar return continued to increase in altitude until the radar track stopped. At this time, the separation between the two targets was about 0.5 nm. The radar track shows the Thorp's target continued eastbound along the coast in a slight climb, and the Citabria's target continued northbound until radar contact with the Thorp was lost at 1729:37, at an altitude of 2,900 feet msl. The radar target on the Citabria was lost at 1730:10. The radar tracks of both aircraft were approximately perpendicular in the last minutes of flight. Both aircraft impacted the water after the midair collision. The Citabria washed ashore on the beach. The Thorp impacted the water about 150 yards east of the Citabria and sank in about 20 feet of water. Both airplanes were destroyed during the collision and impact sequence with the water, and further damaged by tidal action prior to and during the recovery process. All flight control components and control surfaces for the Citabria were accounted for in the recovered wreckage. The left wing strut, which was white in color, was missing and not recovered from the ocean. An examination of the Citabria wreckage for paint transfer marks from the Thorp met with negative results. Examination of the Thorp was inhibited due to the damage to the airplane wreckage by the post accident impact with the ocean and the subsequent tidal action prior to and during the recovery process. The examination of the propeller revealed white in color paint transfers marks beginning close to the hub and extending outward toward the tip. At the tip of one of the blades there was a large gouge on the leading edge. An examination of the Thorp wreckage for paint transfer marks revealed a series of light blue paint transfers on the underside of the right horizontal stabilizer cap. The light blue paint was similar to the coloration of the Citabria. Both airplanes were operating in uncontrolled class 'G' airspace when the collision occurred.

1.1 History of flight

On August 22, 2004, about 1729 Pacific daylight time, a Bellanca Citabria 7ECA, N53879, collided in mid-air with a Pollard & Huntley Thorp T-18, N7618T, at El Matador State Beach near Malibu, California. CP Aviation Inc., was operating the Citabria under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The owner/pilot was operating the Thorp under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Both airplanes were destroyed. The Citabria departed on a personal local flight from Santa Paula Airport (SZP), Santa Paula, California, at an undetermined time. The Thorp departed on a personal local flight from Torrance Airport (TOA), Torrance, California, about 1700. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for either aircraft. The primary wreckage of the Citabria was at 34 degrees 02.267 minutes north latitude and 118 degrees 52.506 minutes west longitude. The primary wreckage of the Thorp was at 34 degrees 02.000 minutes north latitude and 118 degrees 52.000 minutes west longitude.

The National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC) reviewed recorded radar data for both aircraft.

The first identified radar target for the Citabria was about 15 nautical miles (nm) north of the collision point. The Citabria radar target was a primary radar return. No altitude information was available from the radar data. The Citabria target's radar track showed it flying south on the west side of Highway 23 until it intersected with the Pacific Coast Highway. At the shoreline, the Citabria's target passed in front of the Thorp's radar target and continued southbound until it was about 0.75 nm offshore. The Citabria's radar target then turned left 180 degrees, heading back toward the north.

The Thorp departed Torrance about 1700, and review of recorded radar data showed a secondary 1200 (VFR) beacon code at a mode C reported altitude of 400 feet mean sea level (msl). The target flew along the coastline until about 8 nm northwest of the accident site. The target made a right 180-degree turn, and started to track back along the coastline. About 2 nm northwest of the collision point, the target's mode C reported an altitude of 2,400 feet msl. The target's mode C altitude radar return continued to increase in altitude until the radar track stopped. The last radar return on the target was at 1729:37, at an altitude of 2,900 feet msl.

At this time, the separation between the two targets was about 0.5 nm. The radar track shows the Thorp's target continued eastbound along the coast in a slight climb, and the Citabria's target continued northbound until radar contact with the Thorp was lost at 1729:37 at an altitude of 2,900 feet msl. The radar target on the Citabria was lost at 1730:10.

The collision occurred in uncontrolled class 'G' airspace.

None of the identified witnesses saw the collision of the two airplanes. They did report seeing the Citabria, with one wing detached (or missing), spiral down until impacting the water. Another witness saw the Thorpe, also with one wing missing, spiral in a nose down attitude until impacting the water.

A professional photographer, on the beach at the time of the collision photographing a wedding party, heard "something," turned and saw the Citabria. Just before it impacted the water, he took a photograph. The Safety Board IIC obtained a copy of the high-resolution digital photograph.

1.2 Personnel information

1.2.1 Renter Pilot of the Citabria

A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land.

The pilot held a third-class medical certificate issued on April 15, 2003. It had no limitations or waivers.

A review of the pilot's logbook indicated an estimated total flight time of 264 hours. He logged 2 hours in the last 90 days and 2 hours in the last 30 days. He had an estimated 113 hours in the accident make and model. He completed a biennial flight review on October 19, 2002.

1.2.2 Owner/Pilot of the Thorp

A review of FAA airman records revealed that the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land.

The pilot held a third-class medical certificate issued on October 8, 2002. It had no limitations or waivers.

No personal flight records were located for the owner/pilot. The IIC obtained the aeronautical experience listed in this report from a review of the airmen FAA records on file in the Airman and Medical Records Center located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. These records indicated a total time of 5,000 hours.

1.2.3 Passenger/Pilot of the Thorp

A review FAA airman records revealed that the passenger/pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land.

The passenger/pilot held a second-class medical certificate issued on July 8, 2002. It had no limitations or waivers.

No personal flight records were located for the passenger/pilot. The IIC obtained the aeronautical experience listed in this report from a review of the airmen FAA records on file in the Airman and Medical Records Center located in Oklahoma City. These records indicated a total time of 1,300 hours.

1.3 Aircraft information

1.3.1 Bellanca Citabria

The airplane was a Bellanca Citabria 7ECA, serial number 1136-76. A review of the airplane's logbooks revealed a total airframe time of 1,748.5 hours at the last 100-hour inspection. The logbooks had an entry for an annual inspection dated August 28, 2003. The tachometer read 1,748.5 at the last inspection. The tachometer read 1,751.3 at the beginning of the accident flight.

The Citabria is a two-place tandem seating high wing production airplane constructed of steel tube and fabric, and is capable of operating at cruise speeds about 105 mph. The accident airplane was painted light blue and white.

The engine was a Textron Lycoming O-235-C1 engine, serial number L-15299-1S. Total time on the engine at the last 100-hour annual inspection was 1,536.5 hours.

The Citabria was owned by CP Aviation, Inc., Santa Paula, California, and operated as a rental airplane.

Examination of the maintenance and flight department records revealed no unresolved maintenance discrepancies against the airplane prior to departure.

1.3.2 Thorp T-18

The second airplane was a Pollard & Huntley experimental Thorp T-18, serial number HPV-1. The engine was a Textron Lycoming O-360-A2D engine, serial number L-15610-36A.

The Thorp is a two-place side-by-side low wing all metal homebuilt experimental airplane capable of a cruise speed of 180 mph.

No aircraft records were located for the Thorp. The Safety Board IIC contacted the previous owner of the Thorp. He reported that he sold the airplane to the accident owner/pilot in August 2001. At the time of the sale, the airplane had about 1,250 hours.

On December 18, 2001, the FAA sent a Triennial Aircraft Registration Report to the registered owner of the Thorp. He responded on December 27, 2001, and reported that he had sold the airplane to the accident owner/pilot. On February 5, 2002, the FAA sent the accident owner/pilot a request to submit the documentation to properly register the Thorp. The FAA never received a response to that request.

The operating limitations for the airplane were issued to the previous owner on August 20, 1987. A search of FAA records revealed that there were no new operating limitations issued for the accident airplane since the owner/pilot bought the airplane.

1.4 Meteorological information

The closest official weather observation station was Point Mugu Naval Air Station, Point Mugu, California (NTD), which was located 13 nm northwest of the accident site. The elevation o

1.1 History of flight

On August 22, 2004, about 1729 Pacific daylight time, a Bellanca Citabria 7ECA, N53879, collided in mid-air with a Pollard & Huntley Thorp T-18, N7618T, at El Matador State Beach near Malibu, California. CP Aviation Inc., was operating the Citabria under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The owner/pilot was operating the Thorp under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Both airplanes were destroyed. The Citabria departed on a personal local flight from Santa Paula Airport (SZP), Santa Paula, California, at an undetermined time. The Thorp departed on a personal local flight from Torrance Airport (TOA), Torrance, California, about 1700. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for either aircraft. The primary wreckage of the Citabria was at 34 degrees 02.267 minutes north latitude and 118 degrees 52.506 minutes west longitude. The primary wreckage of the Thorp was at 34 degrees 02.000 minutes north latitude and 118 degrees 52.000 minutes west longitude.

The National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC) reviewed recorded radar data for both aircraft.

The first identified radar target for the Citabria was about 15 nautical miles (nm) north of the collision point. The Citabria radar target was a primary radar return. No altitude information was available from the radar data. The Citabria target's radar track showed it flying south on the west side of Highway 23 until it intersected with the Pacific Coast Highway. At the shoreline, the Citabria's target passed in front of the Thorp's radar target and continued southbound until it was about 0.75 nm offshore. The Citabria's radar target then turned left 180 degrees, heading back toward the north.

The Thorp departed Torrance about 1700, and review of recorded radar data showed a secondary 1200 (VFR) beacon code at a mode C reported altitude of 400 feet mean sea level (msl). The target flew along the coastline until about 8 nm northwest of the accident site. The target made a right 180-degree turn, and started to track back along the coastline. About 2 nm northwest of the collision point, the target's mode C reported an altitude of 2,400 feet msl. The target's mode C altitude radar return continued to increase in altitude until the radar track stopped. The last radar return on the target was at 1729:37, at an altitude of 2,900 feet msl.

At this time, the separation between the two targets was about 0.5 nm. The radar track shows the Thorp's target continued eastbound along the coast in a slight climb, and the Citabria's target continued northbound until radar contact with the Thorp was lost at 1729:37 at an altitude of 2,900 feet msl. The radar target on the Citabria was lost at 1730:10.

The collision occurred in uncontrolled class 'G' airspace.

None of the identified witnesses saw the collision of the two airplanes. They did report seeing the Citabria, with one wing detached (or missing), spiral down until impacting the water. Another witness saw the Thorpe, also with one wing missing, spiral in a nose down attitude until impacting the water.

A professional photographer, on the beach at the time of the collision photographing a wedding party, heard "something," turned and saw the Citabria. Just before it impacted the water, he took a photograph. The Safety Board IIC obtained a copy of the high-resolution digital photograph.

1.2 Personnel information

1.2.1 Renter Pilot of the Citabria

A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land.

The pilot held a third-class medical certificate issued on April 15, 2003. It had no limitations or waivers.

A review of the pilot's logbook indicated an estimated total flight time of 264 hours. He logged 2 hours in the last 90 days and 2 hours in the last 30 days. He had an estimated 113 hours in the accident make and model. He completed a biennial flight review on October 19, 2002.

1.2.2 Owner/Pilot of the Thorp

A review of FAA airman records revealed that the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land.

The pilot held a third-class medical certificate issued on October 8, 2002. It had no limitations or waivers.

No personal flight records were located for the owner/pilot. The IIC obtained the aeronautical experience listed in this report from a review of the airmen FAA records on file in the Airman and Medical Records Center located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. These records indicated a total time of 5,000 hours.

1.2.3 Passenger/Pilot of the Thorp

A review FAA airman records revealed that the passenger/pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land.

The passenger/pilot held a second-class medical certificate issued on July 8, 2002. It had no limitations or waivers.

No personal flight records were located for the passenger/pilot. The IIC obtained the aeronautical experience listed in this report from a review of the airmen FAA records on file in the Airman and Medical Records Center located in Oklahoma City. These records indicated a total time of 1,300 hours.

1.3 Aircraft information

1.3.1 Bellanca Citabria

The airplane was a Bellanca Citabria 7ECA, serial number 1136-76. A review of the airplane's logbooks revealed a total airframe time of 1,748.5 hours at the last 100-hour inspection. The logbooks had an entry for an annual inspection dated August 28, 2003. The tachometer read 1,748.5 at the last inspection. The tachometer read 1,751.3 at the beginning of the accident flight.

The Citabria is a two-place tandem seating high wing production airplane constructed of steel tube and fabric, and is capable of operating at cruise speeds about 105 mph. The accident airplane was painted light blue and white.

The engine was a Textron Lycoming O-235-C1 engine, serial number L-15299-1S. Total time on the engine at the last 100-hour annual inspection was 1,536.5 hours.

The Citabria was owned by CP Aviation, Inc., Santa Paula, California, and operated as a rental airplane.

Examination of the maintenance and flight department records revealed no unresolved maintenance discrepancies against the airplane prior to departure.

1.3.2 Thorp T-18

The second airplane was a Pollard & Huntley experimental Thorp T-18, serial number HPV-1. The engine was a Textron Lycoming O-360-A2D engine, serial number L-15610-36A.

The Thorp is a two-place side-by-side low wing all metal homebuilt experimental airplane capable of a cruise speed of 180 mph.

No aircraft records were located for the Thorp. The Safety Board IIC contacted the previous owner of the Thorp. He reported that he sold the airplane to the accident owner/pilot in August 2001. At the time of the sale, the airplane had about 1,250 hours.

On December 18, 2001, the FAA sent a Triennial Aircraft Registration Report to the registered owner of the Thorp. He responded on December 27, 2001, and reported that he had sold the airplane to the accident owner/pilot. On February 5, 2002, the FAA sent the accident owner/pilot a request to submit the documentation to properly register the Thorp. The FAA never received a response to that request.

The operating limitations for the airplane were issued to the previous owner on August 20, 1987. A search of FAA records revealed that there were no new operating limitations issued for the accident airplane since the owner/pilot bought the airplane.

1.4 Meteorological information

The closest official weather observation station was Point Mugu Naval Air Station, Point Mugu, California (NTD), which was located 13 nm northwest of the accident site. The elevation o