NTSB Factual Report

On May 28, 1994, at 1430 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150L, N153KA, registered to DLS Aviation, Inc., and a Cessna 172N, N733DW, registered to Phillipsburg Aviation, Inc., collided at the intersection of runways 24/06 and 33/15 at the Richmond Municipal Airport, Richmond, Indiana. Both airplanes were being operated as instructional flights under CFR 14 Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plans were filed. Both airplanes were destroyed. The Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and student in N153KA were seriously injured. The CFI on N733DW was seriously injured. The student pilot in N733DW died on June 3, 1994. Both airplanes were in the takeoff phase of touch and go landings when the collision occurred. N153KA was using runway 33 at the time of the collision and N733DW was on runway 24.

Cessna 150L - N153KA

According to the CFI, N153KA departed Brookville Airpark, Brookville, Ohio, with the intention of practicing airwork, emergencies, and takeoffs and landings at the Richmond Municipal Airport. The CFI stated that while en route to the Richmond Airport, he attempted to contact the airport over the UNICOM frequency of 122.7 to obtain and airport advisory; however, there was no response from the UNICOM. He stated he flew over the runway and noted the winds were from the northwest and that another airplane was on the taxiway for runway 24.

He stated his student entered the traffic pattern for runway 24 on an upwind leg and flew the remainder of the pattern while he made the radio calls. The CFI stated that as they started to enter the downwind leg from runway 24 he heard another airplane, which he believes to have been a Cessna, call and report being 10 miles from the airport with the request for an airport advisory. He stated he responded to the other airplane that runway 24 was in use. He stated that another airplane on the ground responded that no one was at the UNICOM and that runway 24 was in use.

On the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 the CFI reported they completed the traffic pattern, performed a go-around, and once again entered the traffic pattern for runway 24. He stated that a touch and go was performed after which he determined that the wind was favoring runway 33. (In an interview with an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector and with the Indiana State Police, neither the CFI or student mentioned performing a go-around.) The CFI stated he then instructed the student to enter the downwind for runway 33. The CFI reported that he made radio calls announcing downwind, base, and final for runway 33. The CFI continued to report, "I neither saw nor heard any other traffic, though I was aware that another aircraft had made an initial call to Richmond. I was looking for it, since I had heard no additional radio calls."

The CFI reported that the airplane touched down on runway 33 and power was added to perform a touch and go. He stated that just prior to entering the intersection of runway 24, "an airplane entered my visual field from behind the right doorpost of my own airplane. It was apparently in this blind spot with no relative motion, during our rollout and take-off roll." He continued, "In a split second assessment of the situation I realized that turning and stopping were impossible and the only possible option was to rotate and try to climb above the other plane. Before I was really even aware of this instinctive reaction, I felt an impact from my right side."

The student pilot stated that during the takeoff, just prior to the collision, the CFI stated there was another airplane. She recalled seeing the other airplane immediately prior to the collision.

Both occupants of N153KA were had exited the airplane prior to rescue personnel arriving.

Cessna 172N, N733DW

The CFI reported they departed Phillipsburg, Ohio, at approximately 1500 and practiced VOR usage en route to the Richmond Airport. He reported that when 7 miles out from the airport, he called for an airport advisory and was informed that the winds were from 240 degrees and that runway 24 was being used. He stated they entered the pattern for runway 24 and radio calls were made for base and final. He stated the student pilot made the landing during which the airplane floated and touched down long.

During an interview with the FAA Inspector, the CFI stated he did not see the other airplane until they collided. He also stated the to FAA Inspector that a straight-in approach was made to the runway and did not mention making any radio calls other than the initial request for a traffic advisory.

Both occupants of N733DW had to be extricated from the airplane by rescue personnel.

A witness who was in the airport office at the time of the collision stated to the Indiana State Police that he saw both airplanes prior to the collision and he attempted to warn them over the radio. He stated he did not hear any radio traffic prior to the collision. Another witness, who was in his airplane, reported he heard radio traffic for runway 24; however, he did not report which airplane was making the radio call. He stated he later saw an airplane on final approach for runway 24 and watched it until just prior to touchdown. He next saw the airplane after the collision. He stated he did not see the other airplane nor did he hear any other radio calls.

Additional Information

The student pilot in N733DW was life-flighted to the Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, where he succumbed to his injuries on June 3, 1994. An autopsy was performed on June 4, 1994, at the Montgomery County Coroner's Office, Dayton, Ohio. Toxicological samples were not requested due to the length of hospitalization and late notification of death.

NTSB Probable Cause

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOTS OF BOTH AIRPLANES.