LAX08FA049

A Cessna 172N and a Cessna 150M collided in-flight while maneuvering 1.4 miles southwest of the uncontrolled airport during day visual meteorological conditions. The midair collision occurred about 2 minutes after the Cessna 150M had taken off from runway 25, turned crosswind, and was entering on the downwind leg. Radar data shows that during this time, a Cessna 172N completed a course change maneuver and was proceeding inbound toward the airport on a 034-degree true course, which approximated the 45-degree traffic pattern's entry path to the downwind leg. The north-northeast-bound Cessna 172N impacted the right side of the southeast-bound Cessna 150M after the airplanes were flying on converging courses for about 13 seconds. The collision angle was about 70 degrees. The four occupants in the airplanes and one person on the ground were killed. Calculations based on radar data show that the Cessna 150M pilot turned onto the crosswind leg prior to reaching 700 feet above ground level, which is contrary to the Federal Aviation Administration's recommended procedures. A visibility study determined that while on the crosswind leg and during the turn onto the downwind leg, the Cessna 150M pilot had 14-second window of opportunity to observe the approaching Cessna 172N, which was travelling at 106 knots (ground speed), but was likely not able to see it in the final 9 seconds prior to the collision as the Cessna 150 was turning left onto the downwind leg. According to Cessna, the field of view (visual angle) from the cockpit of the Cessna 150M as it was turning to the downwind was limited in the area from which the Cessna 172N was converging by the door post structures. As the Cessna 172N's pilot was approaching the airport, the Cessna 150M, which was travelling at 74 knots (ground speed), would have been in his view at the 10:30 to 11:00 o'clock position and low in the windscreen. A witness reported that neither airplane appeared to alter its course during the final seconds of flight. No airport facilities or any of the pilots flying in the vicinity reported hearing any communication from either airplane.

History of flight

On January 20, 2008, at 1534 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172N, N737EJ, and a Cessna 150M, N4008V, collided while maneuvering about 1.4 miles south-southwest of the Corona Municipal Airport (AJO), Corona, California. The midair collision occurred at a location and flight direction consistent with the Cessna 172N on an approximate 45-degree entry leg into Corona's left-hand traffic pattern for runway 25, while the Cessna 150M was entering the pattern's downwind leg, following takeoff from runway 25. The commercial pilot and passenger in the Cessna 172N were killed. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger in the Cessna 150M were also killed, along with one person on the ground who was impacted by falling components from the Cessna 150M. Both airplanes were fragmented during the collision sequence, and were destroyed during their uncontrolled nose down descents into underlying cars, buildings, and parking lots. The Cessna 172N was operated by Funoutside, based in Fullerton, California. The Cessna 150M was operated by Fly Corona, Inc., d.b.a. Corona Flight Academy, based in Corona. The personal flights were operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plans were filed. The Cessna 172N's local area flight originated upon its renter pilot's departure from Fullerton, where the airplane was based, at an undetermined time. The Cessna 150M's flight originated from Corona, upon its renter pilot's departure about 1532.

Several witnesses reported being within a 1/2-mile radius of the accident site and observed or heard the midair collision. The National Transportation Safety Board investigator and Corona Police Department personnel interviewed witnesses who observed the airplanes seconds prior to and during the collision sequence. None of the witnesses reported observing evidence of fire or smoke trailing from either airplane prior to the collision.

One of the witnesses was located about 1/2-mile southwest of the accident site in the backyard of her hillside residence, at an approximate elevation of 750 feet mean sea level (msl). This witness reported continuously observing both airplanes cruising toward each other for at least 5 seconds preceding the midair collision. In pertinent part, the witness stated that the airplane that flew nearly over her location was flying in a northerly direction toward AJO, while the other airplane was flying in an easterly direction and was south of the airport. Neither airplane appeared to change course, rock their wings, or commence an avoidance maneuver prior to colliding. The witness indicated that, from her vantage point, it appeared as though the northbound airplane and the eastbound airplane collided with each other at nearly a perpendicular angle. The northbound airplane impacted the right side of the eastbound airplane, near the midsection of its fuselage. Upon colliding, parts of the airplanes separated from each other; the parts looked like wings. The witness further reported that as she observed the airplanes, no evidence of fire or trailing smoke was noted. The engine of the northbound airplane sounded typical of a normally operating light airplane engine, and no missing or sputtering sound was evident.

Recorded radar data was received from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Southern California Terminal Radar Approach Control facility (SOCAL) for the time and location of the accident. The data was reviewed by FAA and Safety Board personnel. The data included two targets that exhibited flight paths (speeds, altitudes, courses) that matched the convergent tracks of the accident Cessna airplanes. (See the airplanes' Flight Path Diagrams that are included in the docket for this accident.) In summary, the radar depicts the following tracks for the airplanes:

Cessna 172N Flight Track

During the last 5 minutes of the airplane's recorded flight, starting about 1529:27, the Cessna 172N was about 8 statute miles east of AJO, and about 5 miles south of the Riverside Municipal Airport. The Cessna was cruising in a westerly direction and was at 2,400 feet, as indicated by the airplane's altitude reporting transponder. The Cessna proceeded on a course nearly parallel to, but south of, Highway 91, and it descended.

By 1533:51, the westbound Cessna 172N had descended to 1,300 feet and was about 2 miles south-southwest of AJO. About this time, the airplane commenced a 110-degree (approximate) right turn consistent with a maneuver that would position the airplane onto the 45-degree entry leg into the traffic pattern for runway 25. About 1534:05, the airplane was established on the entry leg. Its average ground speed was about 106 knots, and it was tracking on an approximate 21-degree magnetic course while remaining at 1,300 feet. The collision occurred when the Cessna 172N was within 0.1 mile north of Highway 91, about 13 seconds after establishment on the traffic pattern's entry leg, about 1534:18.

Cessna 150M Flight Track

The Cessna 150M's flight track began upon the airplane's takeoff from runway 25, and it ended about 1.4 miles south-southwest of the airport during the midair collision. About 1532:42, the airplane was airborne and was passing the departure end of runway 25. (For undetermined reasons, SOCAL did not receive and/or record any altitude information from the airplane's altitude reporting transponder).

About 1/2-minute later, the airplane began turning in a southerly direction toward the left crosswind leg. By 1533:42, the airplane was flying southbound, was established on the left crosswind leg, and was about 1.0 mile southwest of the runway's end. The airplane subsequently turned left toward the downwind leg. Between 1534:05 and the last radar hit at 1534:14, when the airplane was about 0.1 mile north of Highway 91, the airplane was tracking on an approximate 121-degree magnetic course at an average ground speed of 74 knots.

Other damage

Approximately 1/2 dozen automobiles sustained various degrees of impact damage. One commercial structure's roof was penetrated by a falling engine and attached airframe components.

Personnel information

Cessna 172N Pilot, Left Seat

The pilot, age 73, held a commercial pilot certificate with the following ratings: airplane single-engine land, rotorcraft-helicopter, and instrument airplane and helicopter. The pilot's flight record logbook indicated his total flight time was about 4,190 hours. The pilot's last flight review was accomplished in a Cessna 172 on December 20, 2007.

The pilot's last aviation medical certificate was issued January 2007, in the third class, with the restriction that he must have available glasses for near vision. The pilot's reported height and weight was 71 inches and 212 pounds.

Cessna 172N Passenger, Right Front Seat

A review of FAA records indicated that the passenger did not hold any FAA certificate. He had no FAA record of flight time.

Cessna 150M Pilot, Left Seat

The pilot, age 24, was issued a combined student pilot and first class aviation medical certificate (without restrictions or limitations) on November 1, 2007, and a private pilot certificate on November 25, 2007, with the following ratings: airplane single-engine land. The pilot successfully passed an examination for issuance of an instrument airplane rating on January 20, 2008, about 3 hours prior to the accident flight.

The designated pilot examiner (DPE) who administered the instrument rating check ride reported that during the oral examination he covered special emphasis areas related to operations at uncontrolled airports, collision avoidance, and proper scanning techniques. The examiner reported that because their "flight profile included Corona Airport, I provided additional cautionary admonishment related to this operation." He further stated that the pilot's "flight instructor reinforced m