NTSB Factual Report

On October 4, 2003, at 1645 central daylight time a Piper PA-28R-180 (Arrow), N70SR, registered to Shelby Air LLC, and operated by the commercial pilot, and a Charles, WAR F4V (Corsair), N71723, experimental amateur built, registered to and operated by the private pilot, collided in-flight prior to touchdown at the St Clair County Airport, in Pell City, Alabama. Both flights were operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plans were filed. Neither pilot was injured and both airplane sustained substantial damage. The Arrow flight originated from Shelby County Airport, in Alabaster, Alabama, on October 4, 2003 at 1345. The Corsair flight originated from St Clair County Airport in Pell City, Alabama, on October 4, 2003, at 1615.

According to a witness in a Cessna 152 at the runway 20 hold short line, he heard the pilot of the Arrow call for the base leg of the traffic pattern. The Cessna 152 pilot looked and saw the Arrow turning onto the base leg. As he came toward the runway on final, well past the tree line and descending he saw a small airplane moving fast inside of the pattern Corsair. He said he saw him approaching the Arrow and banking to the left. He heard no radio calls from the Corsair. Within a few seconds the witness said the right wingtip of the Corsair, collide with the Arrow on the left side. At the time of the collision, he estimated that the Corsair was in a left 30 to 40-degree bank. He said both planes yawed, the Corsair, then continued under and passed the Arrow on the right side of the runway. The Corsair landed in the grass and nosed over. The pilot of the Arrow, corrected his final approach course and landed on the runway.

According to a CFII/MEI he had just left the main ramp area and was taxiing to runway 20. He heard the Arrow announce he was inbound for landing, and later announced that he was entering the downwind for runway 20. The CFII stated that he was following the homebuilt Corsair, to the hold short line of runway 20. After the Corsair took off the CFII completed his runup, and heard the Arrow announce that he was entering a left base for runway 20. The CFII saw the airplane on base, and heard him announce his turn to final. As the airplane was established on final, he noticed the Corsair, low and turning final for runway 20. The Corsair was about 200 feet agl and outside of the treeline. The corsair's right wing hit the Arrow's left main landing gear at about 100 feet agl, and within the treeline. Both aircraft remained in control and landed .

The commercial pilot for the Arrow, stated that he made radio position calls on downwind, base and final approach legs of the traffic pattern. He was established on final approach at an airspeed of 85 miles per hour at an altitude between 100 feet and 200 feet when the collision occurred. He remained under control of the airplane and landed on runway 20. The airplane came to rest with the left wheel in the grass on the left side of the runway. Damage consisted of the left main tire, left stabilator, and the left side of the fuselage.

The private pilot for the Corsair, was in a closed nonstandard left traffic pattern. While turning final approach, using a 30 to 40 degree bank, from a close in left base between 100 and 200 feet above ground level the right wing impacted the left side of the Arrow from below and behind. The pilot continued under the Arrow, and landed in the grass on the right side of the runway. Toward the end of the landing roll the airplane hit a pothole and nosed over onto the propeller and engine cowl. The Corsair was not equipped with radios. Damaged consisted of the propeller, engine cowl and the right wing.

Title 14 CFR Part 91.113, Right-of-way rules: paragaph (g) Landing Aircraft, states in part that while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or operating on the surface.

NTSB Probable Cause

Visual lookout not maintained by the pilot of the other aircraft.