Investigation number
200700304
Occurrence date
Location
Leongatha
State
Victoria
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Collision with terrain
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
None

On the afternoon of 1 February 2007, a Piper PA-28R Cherokee Arrow, with the pilot, a flight instructor and a passenger was approaching to land on Runway 22 at Leongatha aerodrome, Vic. At the same time the pilot of a Cessna 188B Agwagon was taking off on Runway 18 at Leongatha.

Both aircraft were operating under the visual flight rules (VFR). When the Arrow was on base leg, the pilot of the Agwagon broadcast on the Leongatha common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) that he intended to conduct aerial spraying operations on a property 2 NM to the north of the aerodrome and that he would depart from Runway 18. The instructor and the pilot of the Arrow heard that transmission but did not visually check the position of the Agwagon on the ground. After turning onto final, the pilot of the Arrow broadcast his intention to make a full stop landing on Runway 22, but that transmission was not heard by the pilot of the Agwagon. The pilot of the Agwagon reported that he visually checked the approach to Runway 22 before commencing his takeoff, but did not see the Arrow.

When the Arrow was on the landing roll on Runway 22 and the Agwagon had just become airborne on Runway 18, the two aircraft collided at the intersection of the runways. Both aircraft were substantially damaged but none of the occupants were injured.

The investigation found that the lookout by the pilots of both aircraft was not adequate to ensure that there was no conflicting traffic for their respective operations. Neither aircraft displayed landing lights that may have improved the chance of the pilots seeing each other. Sun glare may have increased the difficulty for the pilots of the Arrow seeing the Agwagon.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Cessna Aircraft Company
Model
188
Registration
VH-BCT
Serial number
18803406T
Operation type
Aerial Work
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Leongatha, Vic
Departure time
1950
Destination
Leongatha, Vic
Damage
Substantial
Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Piper Aircraft Corp
Model
PA-28
Registration
VH-WDS
Serial number
28R-30401
Operation type
Flying Training
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Hamilton, Vic
Destination
Leongatha, Vic
Damage
Substantial