At about 1534 Pacific time, the two aircraft collided in flight while approaching to land. The midair collision occurred at a location and in a flight direction consistent with the 172 entering the left-hand traffic pattern, and the 150 being in the patterns downwind leg. All four aboard both aircraft were fatally injured; a person on the ground also was killed. Both airplanes were fragmented during the midair collision and were subsequently destroyed upon falling nose down into buildings, automobiles and parking lots. A witness reported continuously observing both airplanes cruise toward each other for at least five seconds preceding the collision. No maneuvering was observed during the seconds immediately prior to the impact.
January 20, 2008, Corona, Calif., Cessna 150M/Cessna 172N
At about 1534 Pacific time, the two aircraft collided in flight while approaching to land. The midair collision occurred at a location and in a flight direction consistent with the 172 entering the left-hand traffic pattern, and the 150 being in the patterns downwind leg. All four aboard both aircraft were fatally injured; a person on the ground also was killed. Both airplanes were fragmented during the midair collision and were subsequently destroyed upon falling nose down into buildings, automobiles and parking lots. A witness reported continuously observing both airplanes cruise toward each other for at least five seconds preceding the collision. No maneuvering was observed during the seconds immediately prior to the impact.
Key Takeaways:
- Two aircraft collided mid-air while approaching to land, resulting in the fatal injury of all four occupants and one person on the ground.
- Both airplanes were fragmented during the collision and subsequently destroyed upon falling into buildings, automobiles, and parking lots.
- A witness observed both aircraft cruise directly toward each other for at least five seconds preceding the collision, with no maneuvering.
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