NYC95LA145

The Mooney M20C, N2763W, on a dual instructional flight, was inbound to the uncontrolled airport following the VOR final approach course of 119 degrees at 2,000 ft. the Piper PA-28, N7416R, had departed the airport, turned northwest, and climbed to 2,000 ft. the airplanes collided 2 miles northwest of the airport. One of the Mooney pilots described the collision as 'a shadow appeared on the right and crashing noise as the cabin ripped open.' The Piper pilot described the collision as a 'loud bang on the left side of the engine compartment and I saw cowl badly mangled.' The Mooney was not able to maintain flight and made a forced landing in an open field. The Piper pilot was able to continue flight and return to the departure airport. Examination of the Mooney revealed separation of the upper fuselage, top vertical stabilizer and rudder. Examination of the Piper firewall revealed the Mooney's rudder balance weight was imbedded. No evasive action was taken by the pilots prior to the collision.

The Mooney M20C, N2763W, on a dual instructional flight, was inbound to the uncontrolled airport following the VOR final approach course of 119 degrees at 2,000 ft. the Piper PA-28, N7416R, had departed the airport, turned northwest, and climbed to 2,000 ft. the airplanes collided 2 miles northwest of the airport. One of the Mooney pilots described the collision as 'a shadow appeared on the right and crashing noise as the cabin ripped open.' The Piper pilot described the collision as a 'loud bang on the left side of the engine compartment and I saw cowl badly mangled.' The Mooney was not able to maintain flight and made a forced landing in an open field. The Piper pilot was able to continue flight and return to the departure airport. Examination of the Mooney revealed separation of the upper fuselage, top vertical stabilizer and rudder. Examination of the Piper firewall revealed the Mooney's rudder balance weight was imbedded. No evasive action was taken by the pilots prior to the collision.

See narrative report for NYC-95-L-A145A.

On July 9, 1995, at 1255 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M- 20C, N2763W, and a Piper PA-28-140, N7416R, collided in flight, about 2 miles northwest of the Rostraver Airport, Monongahela, Pennsylvania. The two commercial pilots in N2763W received serious injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The commercial pilot in N7416R was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and both flights had departed from the Rostraver Airport within the preceding 25 minutes. No flight plans had been filed for the local flights, which were conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

A flight instructor was providing dual instruction to the new owner of N2763W. After a 1 hour flight, they landed at Rostraver, and then departed. In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot of N2763W stated:

It was decided to start the second flight with a visual (no hood) flight of the AGC VOR A approach to Rostraver airport...At the five mile fix commencing descent to minimum I broadcast on 122.8, Rostraver Unicom, my position and intentions...level off at 2,000 [feet], pattern altitude for Rostraver and commenced inbound. At 3 or 4 miles out my instructor made a sound and moved towards me with his head down, as a shadow appeared on the right and crashing noise as the cabin ripped open.

Aircraft control with high engine power was minimal, combined with limited sight in my left eye, made continued flight to Rostraver Airport not an option. An emergency landing was made....

The pilot of N7416R had completed 2 full stop landings on runway 25 at the Rostraver Airport , and then departed on his third takeoff. In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated:

...[I] Made third takeoff and after exiting pattern with 45 turn toward Donora.

...Fly at 2,000 [feet] MSL up toward Monongahela turned at about new eagle toward Elizabeth.

...I experienced loud bang on left side of engine compartment and saw cowl badly mangled...After aircraft kept flying and no oil smell, with tac [tachometer] showing eng. [engine] still running called several MayDays on 122.8 as I proceeded to Rostraver, now about 1 or 2 miles from that point. Saw nothing prior, at , or after the loud "bang."

...Arriving at Rostraver at 2,000 [feet] MSL, pattern altitude...I landed on Rwy 7, not knowing gear missing....

According to a written report from an FAA Airworthiness Inspector:

...the mooney received damage to the top of the fuselage from the windshield to the bulkhead aft of the baggage door. It also had damage to the vertical stabilizer and the rudder was missing. It had tire marks on top of the right horizontal stabilizer.

The Piper had damage to the left cowling and the left side of the firewall, the nose and right landing gear were missing.

The weather at the Allegheny County Airport, West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, located 8 miles northwest of the accident site, was clear skys, visibility 15 miles.