14) MID-AIR COLLISION, U-FIT

Globe GC-1B | N78074

September 16th, 2024 | Minden, Nevada

Accident Location

  • City: Minden
  • State: Nevada
  • Latitude: 39.017692
  • Longitude: -119.77181
  • Airport ID: KMEV

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N78074
  • Make: Globe
  • Model: GC-1B
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Bartholomew, Don
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 74
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School:
  • Instructional Flight:
  • Pilot Certification: Commercial Pilot
  • IFR Rating: Yes
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 3rd Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: September 16th, 2024
  • Time: 9:45 AM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Approach
  • Total People Onboard: 1
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 0
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 1
  • NTSB No: WPR24FA304
  • NTSB Travel: Unknown
  • AQP Classification: 14) MID-AIR COLLISION, U-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, shared equally between both pilots, in that while both pilots of both aircraft made position reports, communication never occurred. The two never communicated with each other or made an arrangement to avoid the collision. Both aircraft were flying a standard day VFR traffic pattern and both should have been able to avoid visually, however due to the mix of high wing and low wing, and the angle from which they were both flying, neither pilot could see the other.

NTSB: 

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft use the radio when available, and solicit communication such that communication does occur, and an agreement is made concerning how the converging flight paths should be flown, and who will go first, etc. The DTSB strongly recommends increased vigilance, and more plane to plane communication at uncontrolled fields where frequency congestion is not an issue.

NTSB:

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.