MIA96LA027

NTSB accident investigation · Piper PA-23-150 · Ocala, FL · November 22, 1995

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
November 22, 1995, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
Place
Ocala, FL
Injuries
4 uninjured
Phase of flight
Enroute
Aircraft
N2114PPiper PA-23-150N210PWCessna T210N
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report April 1, 1996
Report
Approved by Office Director
Case key
37948

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The NTSB’s determination of the probable cause, and any contributing factors.

The failure of the pilot-in-command (CFI) of the Cessna, N210PW, to see and avoid the Piper, N2114P.

The failure of the pilot-in-command (CFI) of the Cessna, N210PW, to see and avoid the Piper, N2114P.

Analysis

The CFI in the PA-23, N2114P, stated that his student had executed the localizer approach to runway 36, and had announced on the CTAF that the flight was on a 4 then 1 mile final for a touch-and-go runway 36. After the touch-and-go, and during the upwind leg, the CFI stated that he felt a jolt similar to that of a severe updraft. He observed damage to the airplane, and took the controls and landed uneventfully at another airport. The CFI in the Cessna, N210PW, stated that his instrument student was executing the localizer approach to runway 36, and during the approach, he observed the Piper about 2 miles ahead descending for runway 36 and also when it was on the runway. The student continued the approach, and while at the mda about 5 seconds before the time expired for the missed approach point, the student observed an airplane below and to the left of their airplane. The student rolled the airplane to the right and felt an impact. The CFI took the controls and landed uneventfully at the Ocala airport.

The CFI in the PA-23, N2114P, stated that his student had executed the localizer approach to runway 36, and had announced on the CTAF that the flight was on a 4 then 1 mile final for a touch-and-go runway 36. After the touch-and-go, and during the upwind leg, the CFI stated that he felt a jolt similar to that of a severe updraft. He observed damage to the airplane, and took the controls and landed uneventfully at another airport. The CFI in the Cessna, N210PW, stated that his instrument student was executing the localizer approach to runway 36, and during the approach, he observed the Piper about 2 miles ahead descending for runway 36 and also when it was on the runway. The student continued the approach, and while at the mda about 5 seconds before the time expired for the missed approach point, the student observed an airplane below and to the left of their airplane. The student rolled the airplane to the right and felt an impact. The CFI took the controls and landed uneventfully at the Ocala airport.

Factual narrative

On November 22, 1995, about 1500 eastern standard time, a Cessna T210N, N210PW, registered to White Mountain, Inc., collided with a Piper PA-23-150, N2114P, at the Ocala Regional/Jim Taylor Field Airport, Ocala, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for either flight. Both flights were operating as 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flights. The Cessna airplane sustained minor damage and the certified flight instructor (CFI) and private-rated student were not injured. The Piper airplane was substantially damaged and the CFI and commercial-rated student were also not injured. The Cessna flight originated about 1430, from the Ocala Airport. The Piper flight originated about 1437, also from the Ocala Airport.

The CFI of the Cessna stated that his instrument student was executing a practice localizer approach to runway 36 and the Piper airplane was observed ahead. The student of the Cessna announced on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) of the intention of performing a low approach, and descended to the minimum descent altitude of 480 feet mean sea level (msl). The CFI further stated that he observed the Piper land on runway 36. The student in the Cessna stated that about 5 seconds before the time had expired to reach the missed approach point, he observed the Piper airplane beneath and to the left of their airplane. The student banked the Cessna to the right and then felt an impact. The CFI of the Cessna took control of the airplane and landed uneventfully at the Ocala Airport.

Two witnesses on the airport at the time of the accident stated that the midair collision occurred about 480 feet msl, about 3/4 of the way down the departure end of runway 36.

On November 22, 1995, about 1500 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-23-150, N2114P, collided with a Cessna T210N, N210PW, registered to White Mountain, Inc., at the Ocala Regional/Jim Taylor Field Airport, Ocala, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for either flight. Both flights were operating as 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flights. The Piper airplane was substantially damaged and the certified flight instructor (CFI) and commercial-rated student were not injured. The Cessna airplane sustained minor damage and the CFI and private-rated student were not injured. The Piper flight originated about 1437, from the Ocala Regional Airport. The Cessna flight originated about 1430, also from the Ocala Airport.

The CFI of the Piper stated that his instrument student was executing a practice localizer approach to runway 36. The student stated that he advised on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) when the flight was 4 miles and 1 mile from the airport, touch-and-go runway 36. The student performed a touch-and-go landing then while climbing during the upwind leg, about 480 feet mean sea level (msl), he felt an impact. The CFI stated that immediately after the impact he observed that the right horizontal stabilator was deformed down and took control of the airplane. He elected to fly to where the airplane is based, at the Williston Municipal Airport and landed uneventfully.

Two witnesses on the airport at the time of the accident stated that the midair collision occurred at about 480 feet msl, and about 3/4 of the way down the departure end of runway 36.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Midair collisionClimb
Visual lookout - inadequatePilot of other aircraftCause
Midair collisionApproach
Visual lookout - inadequatePilot in command(cfi)Cause

Aircraft · 2

Registration
N2114P
Reported as
Piper PA-23-150
Category
Airplane
Serial number
23-705
Airframe hours
6,893
Engine
Lycoming O-320-A3B, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Registered owner
Robert J. Pratt
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · June 30, 1995 · 95 hours before
Departed
OCF
Airport
OCF · Ocala Regional, runway 36, 6,906 × 150 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Registration
N210PW
Reported as
Cessna T210N
Category
Airplane
Serial number
21064343
Engine
Continental TSIO-520R, 310 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Minor damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Operator
Gordon Degeest
Registered owner
White Mountain, Inc.
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · July 25, 1995 · 60 hours before
Departed
OCF
Airport
OCF · Ocala Regional, runway 36, 6,906 × 150 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew · 2

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot, aircraft N2114P
Age
52
Certificates
Commercial, Airline transport, Flight instructor
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine sea, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Right
Flight hours
7,730 total · 1,189 in this make and model · 7,669 as pilot in command · 186 in the last 90 days · 48 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Role
Pilot, aircraft N210PW
Age
62
Certificates
Flight instructor, Commercial
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land, Single-engine sea
Instrument ratings
Airplane, Helicopter
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Right
Flight hours
24,000 total · 200 in this make and model · 20,000 as pilot in command · 163 in the last 90 days · 78 in the last 30 days · 4 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
340° at 7 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
63 °F, dew point 25 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
GNV, 31 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.