Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 N3793F and Varga Aircraft Corp. 2150A N4651V accident near Clinton, Iowa

Probable cause

The pilot of the other airplane failing to adequately monitor for other aircraft while landing.

The pilot's failure to adequately monitor for other aircraft while landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of a Great Lakes biplane was landing when the airplane struck the rear of a Varga airplane that had previously landed and was still on the runway. According to the pilot of the Great Lakes, he did not see the other airplane until the impact occurred. The Varga had completed a straight-in approach following a practice instrument approach. The Great Lakes landed using a left hand traffic pattern approach to landing. FAA regulations state that when two airplanes are approaching to land at the same airport, the airplane at the lower altitude has the right of way. The airport was a non-towered airport, and both pilots reported that they had announced their positions in the airport traffic pattern. Regulations did not prohibit the use of a straight-in approach.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12LA629 for the full record.