Dehavilland DHC 1B 2-S3 N12BH and Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12 N409FM accident near Bayport, New York

Probable cause

The failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other, which resulted in a collision.

NTSB analysis

The RV-12 was inbound for landing and had joined a 45-degree approach to the left base leg for the runway. The Chipmunk had taxied to the end of the runway to conduct an engine run-up. The pilot of the RV-12 said that he made a radio call on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) while he was on the 45-degree base leg and during his turn to final. The Chipmunk pilot stated that he made a radio call on the CTAF stating his intention to depart. Both pilots said that they did not hear any traffic on the CTAF, nor did they see any traffic in the pattern or on the ground. The pilot of the RV-12 stated that the front half of the Chipmunk came into his view as the RV-12 was in its landing flare. Subsequently, the propeller of the RV-12 struck the rudder and vertical stabilizer of the Chipmunk, causing substantial damage and causing the RV-12 to lose thrust. A portion of the propeller blade tip from the RV-12 and a lead rudder balance weight from the Chipmunk were later discovered on the west half of the runway. The Chipmunk continued with the takeoff and landed shortly thereafter at a nearby airport. The RV-12 landed safely immediately after the collision.

Examination of the airport environment revealed that, depending on the angle and altitude of inbound aircraft and the position of aircraft on the ground, trees surrounding the approach end of the runway could block a pilot's view of arriving or departing aircraft.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA14LA181 for the full record.