Primary finding
Probable cause
The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other approaching airplane. A contributing factor was the close proximity between the two private airstrips.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
A low-wing airplane and a bi-wing airplane collided while each airplane was on final approach to two separate private airstrips. The runways were perpendicular to one another and about one mile apart. The application spreader on the bi-wing airplane impacted the rudder and vertical stabilizer on the low-wing airplane. During the impact, the application spreader separated from the bi-wing airplane and the rudder and vertical stabilizer on the low-wing airplane sustained structural damage. Both pilots were able to land successfully at their respective airstrips.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 28, 2008, approximately 1130 central daylight time, a single-engine Piper PA24-260 low-wing airplane, N9097P, and a Schweizer G-164B turbine powered agricultural bi-wing airplane, N36289, collided in-flight while the PA24 was on final approach to a private airstrip and the G-164B was on final approach to a second and perpendicular private airstrip. Both airstrips were located near Abbeville, Louisiana, and were approximately one mile apart. The PA24 was substantially damaged and the G-164B sustained minor damage. The private pilot of the PA24 and the commercial pilot of the G-164B were not injured. The PA24 was owned and operated by Cedar Aircraft Inc., of Cherokee, Iowa. The G-164B was owned and operated by Vincent Flying Service Inc., of Kaplan, Louisiana. The PA24 was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal flight and the G-164B was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and flight plans were not filed for either local flight. The pilot of the PA24 reported that while on short final for runway 27 he spotted the G-164B approaching on a collision course at "the last second." The PA24 pilot took evasive action; however, the application spreader from the G-164B impacted the vertical stabilizer and rudder of the PA24. Both pilots were able to land successfully at their respective airstrips. According to the pilot of the G-164B, he had not observed the PA24 before the impact. After landing he discovered that the airplane's application spreader was missing. Photographs provided to the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) revealed that the PA24 vertical stabilizer and rudder sustained structural damage during the impact.