# NTSB SEA00IA007: Cessna 172P, N54844, Wenatchee, WA, October 23, 1999 - Type: NTSB incident investigation - Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report - Date: October 23, 1999, 13:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Wenatchee, WA - Coordinates: 47.489131, -120.19062 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4891&lon=-120.1906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47696 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00IA007 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47696/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00IA007 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The failure of the pilots in both aircraft to maintain an adequate visual lookout. Haze was a factor. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The failure of the pilots in both aircraft to maintain an adequate visual lookout. Haze was a factor. ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The flight instructor in the Cessna reported that the student was under the hood for the practice VOR approach. The flight was tracking inbound heading 285 degrees. About six miles from the airport, approximately 3,800 feet, and just prior to the final approach fix, the flight instructor was just about to announce their location when they felt a bump. The flight instructor did not see what they had collided with, and realized shortly thereafter that it was another aircraft. The pilot of the RV-6A, reported that he had just taken off from the airport and was climbing to cruise altitude on an easterly heading, when he suddenly saw the Cessna directly ahead and in his flight path. The pilot immediately pushed the nose down in a rapid descending right turn. The left wing tip of the RV-6A came up and collided with the bottom side of the Cessna's right wing tip. Both pilots reported that the weather was clear with haze. Both aircraft returned to the airport and landed without further incident. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The flight instructor in the Cessna reported that the student was under the hood for the practice VOR approach. The flight was tracking inbound heading 285 degrees. About six miles from the airport, approximately 3,800 feet, and just prior to the final approach fix, the flight instructor was just about to announce their location when they felt a bump. The flight instructor did not see what they had collided with, and realized shortly thereafter that it was another aircraft. The pilot of the RV-6A, reported that he had just taken off from the airport and was climbing to cruise altitude on an easterly heading, when he suddenly saw the Cessna directly ahead and in his flight path. The pilot immediately pushed the nose down in a rapid descending right turn. The left wing tip of the RV-6A came up and collided with the bottom side of the Cessna's right wing tip. Both pilots reported that the weather was clear with haze. Both aircraft returned to the airport and landed without further incident. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On October 23, 1999, at 1320 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N54844, registered to and operated by Wings of Wenatchee, as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, and a RV-6A, N811KM, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided in mid-air about six miles east of Pangborn Memorial airport, Wenatchee, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. No flight plan was filed by the Cessna. The pilot of the RV-6A had filed a VFR flight plan, but had not yet opened it prior to the collision. Both aircraft received minor damage. Neither the flight instructor or private pilot in the Cessna nor the private pilot in the RV-6A were injured. The Cessna had departed from Wenatchee about one hour prior to the collision for the local instructional flight. The RV-6A had just taken off from Wenatchee, and was en route to Joseph, Oregon. The flight instructor in the Cessna reported that the private pilot was working on his instrument rating and was under the hood practicing the VOR-A approach to Wenatchee. The aircraft was flying an inbound course of 285 degrees. At about 3,800 feet, just prior to Malaga final approach fix, and about six miles from the airport, the flight instructor was just about to announce their location and intentions on the Pangborn CTAF frequency (123.0) when they felt a bump. The flight instructor stated that he never saw or heard the other aircraft. The pilot of the RV-6A reported that he had announced his departure from runway 30 on CTAF frequency 123.0. After takeoff, the pilot made a right turn and headed easterly, climbing to 9,500 feet. The pilot stated that at about 4,000 to 5,000 feet, and about six miles from the airport, he suddenly saw the Cessna directly ahead and in his flight path. The pilot immediately pushed the nose down hard in a rapid descending right turn. The left wing tip of the RV-6A came up and collided with the bottom side of the Cessna's right wing tip. Both aircraft received minor damage to their wing tips, and were able to land at Wenatchee without further incident. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On October 23, 1999, at 1320 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N54844, registered to and operated by Wings of Wenatchee, as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, and a RV-6A, N811KM, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided in mid-air about six miles east of Pangborn Memorial airport, Wenatchee, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. No flight plan was filed by the Cessna. The pilot of the RV-6A had filed a VFR flight plan, but had not yet opened it prior to the collision. Both aircraft received minor damage. Neither the flight instructor or private pilot in the Cessna nor the private pilot in the RV-6A were injured. The Cessna had departed from Wenatchee about one hour prior to the collision for the local instructional flight. The RV-6A had just taken off from Wenatchee, and was en route to Joseph, Oregon. The flight instructor in the Cessna reported that the private pilot was working on his instrument rating and was under the hood practicing the VOR-A approach to Wenatchee. The aircraft was flying an inbound course of 285 degrees. At about 3,800 feet, just prior to Malaga final approach fix, and about six miles from the airport, the flight instructor was just about to announce their location and intentions on the Pangborn CTAF frequency (123.0) when they felt a bump. The flight instructor stated that he never saw or heard the other aircraft. The pilot of the RV-6A reported that he had announced his departure from runway 30 on CTAF frequency 123.0. After takeoff, the pilot made a right turn and headed easterly, climbing to 9,500 feet. The pilot stated that at about 4,000 to 5,000 feet, and about six miles from the airport, he suddenly saw the Cessna directly ahead and in his flight path. The pilot immediately pushed the nose down hard in a rapid descending right turn. The left wing tip of the RV-6A came up and collided with the bottom side of the Cessna's right wing tip. Both aircraft received minor damage to their wing tips, and were able to land at Wenatchee without further incident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, approach - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Midair collision, climb - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N54844](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54844), registered now, S/N 17275065, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17275065 - Airframe hours: 8737 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wings Of Wenatchee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1999, 31 hours before - Departed: EAT ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N811KM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N811KM-2016-03-14), registration cancelled 2016-03-14, S/N 60008, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kenneth Miller RV-6A - Registry model: [Miller Kenneth J VANS ACFT RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/miller-kenneth-j-vans-acft-rv-6a) (registry code 056038T) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 60008 - Airframe hours: 108 - Engines: GM V-6 219 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth J. Miller - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 1999, 33 hours before - Departed: EAT, WA - Destination: 4S3, JOSEPH, OR - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N54844; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 514 total, 433 in this make and model, 263 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days - Pilot, aircraft N811KM; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 287 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: EAT, 6 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). - [Incident 19991023031801I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991023031801I), Oct 23, 1999: Cessna 172P, Wenatchee, WA, Minor damage. (-23) Dual training flight, practicing instrument approaches at Wenatchee, WA, aircraft was involved in a midair collision. Second aircraft approached from the… - [Incident 19991023031802I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991023031802I), Oct 23, 1999: Amtr RV6A, Wenatchee, WA, Minor damage. (-23) During a personal cross country flight, this aircraft was involved in a mid air collision. At the last instant noticed an aircraft covering most of the… 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.