At 1505 eastern time, a Piper PA-16 a Betts RV-6A collided in mid-air while on approach to runway 27R at Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport during Sun n Fun. The Piper pilot was seriously injured and the RV-6 pilot was killed. The local controller said the RV-6 was in front of the PA-16 on the downwind and on base. He saw the PA-16 overtaking the RV-6 and twice instructed the RV-6 to sidestep to runway 27 left, but the pilot did not respond to his instructions. He then told the PA-16 pilot to climb and he did not respond to the instructions.
April 05, Lakeland, Fla. / Piper Clipper and RV-6A
At 1505 eastern time, a Piper PA-16 a Betts RV-6A collided in mid-air while on approach to runway 27R at Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport during Sun n Fun. The Piper pilot was seriously injured and the RV-6 pilot was killed. The local controller said the RV-6 was in front of the PA-16 on the downwind and on base. He saw the PA-16 overtaking the RV-6 and twice instructed the RV-6 to sidestep to runway 27 left, but the pilot did not respond to his instructions. He then told the PA-16 pilot to climb and he did not respond to the instructions....
Key Takeaways:
- A mid-air collision occurred between a Piper PA-16 and a Betts RV-6A while on approach to runway 27R at Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport during Sun n Fun.
- The pilot of the RV-6A was killed, and the Piper pilot sustained serious injuries.
- The local controller observed the PA-16 overtaking the RV-6A and issued instructions to both aircraft (RV-6A to sidestep, PA-16 to climb), which were not acknowledged or followed.
See a mistake? Contact us.
