Aviation safety investigations & reports
Runway intersection collision - Leongatha Aerodrome, VIC, 1 February 2007, Cessna 188B, VH-BCT and Piper PA-28R, VH-WDS
200700304

Summary
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.
General details
Date: | 01 February 2007 | Investigation status: | Completed | ||
Time: | 1950 ESUT | ||||
Location (show map): | Leongatha | ||||
State: | Victoria | Occurrence type: | Collision with terrain | ||
Release date: | 26 February 2008 | Occurrence category: | Accident | ||
Report status: | Final | Highest injury level: | None |
Aircraft 1 details
Aircraft manufacturer | Cessna Aircraft Company | |
---|---|---|
Aircraft model | 188 | |
Aircraft registration | VH-BCT | |
Serial number | 18803406T | |
Type of operation | Aerial Work | |
Damage to aircraft | Substantial | |
Departure point | Leongatha, Vic | |
Departure time | 1950 | |
Destination | Leongatha, Vic |
Crew details
Role | Class of licence | Hours on type | Hours total |
---|---|---|---|
Pilot-in-Command | Commercial | 2074 | 4859 |
Aircraft 2 details
Aircraft manufacturer | Piper Aircraft Corp | |
---|---|---|
Aircraft model | PA-28 | |
Aircraft registration | VH-WDS | |
Serial number | 28R-30401 | |
Type of operation | Flying Training | |
Damage to aircraft | Substantial | |
Departure point | Hamilton, Vic | |
Destination | Leongatha, Vic |
Crew details
Role | Class of licence | Hours on type | Hours total |
---|---|---|---|
Pilot-in-Command | Commercial | 250 | 4220 |