The two airplanes collided at 1327 Mountain time shortly after the Piper released a Schweizer SGS 2-32 glider. Visual conditions prevailed. The commercial pilot aboard the Piper and the private pilot and passenger aboard the Cirrus were fatally injured. The commercial pilot and two passengers aboard the Schweizer were not injured. According to the Schweizers pilot, the Piper and the Schweizer were in a climb attitude, heading west. The Cirrus was heading south. The Schweizers pilot perceived the Cirrus collision course with the towline and released. The Cirrus impacted the Piper shortly thereafter. Although the Schweizer flew through a resulting fireball, it was not damaged and its pilot was able to return to its base. The Cirrus descended under its airframe parachute while on fire.
February 6, 2010, Boulder, Colo., Piper PA-25/Cirrus SR20
The two airplanes collided at 1327 Mountain time shortly after the Piper released a Schweizer SGS 2-32 glider. Visual conditions prevailed. The commercial pilot aboard the Piper and the private pilot and passenger aboard the Cirrus were fatally injured. The commercial pilot and two passengers aboard the Schweizer were not injured.
Key Takeaways:
- A Piper tow plane and a Cirrus aircraft collided mid-air, resulting in the fatalities of all three occupants aboard those planes.
- The incident occurred shortly after the Piper released a glider; the glider's three occupants were uninjured and the aircraft undamaged despite flying through a resulting fireball.
- The glider's pilot perceived the Cirrus on a collision course with the towline, prompting the glider's release just moments before the impact with the Piper.
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