FL - Mid-air collision, Piper J-3C Cub, N10510, 2 killed, Piper PA-28-161, N9221D, 2 killed - Winter Haven, 7 Mar 2023

[worm]

Yes, I do understand that. It's just my opinion, but I still find it crazy that a teen can fly a plane when they barely even have a driver's license to drive a vehicle. A friend of mine used to have his pilot's license.

I guess all teens aren’t pot smoking Deadheads as I was in those years.

 

[ifindedout]

FlightAware's tracking of the Cherokee:

N9221D Flight Tracking and History 07-Mar-2023 (KLAL-KGIF) - FlightAware

Track N9221D flight from Lakeland Linder Intl to Winter Haven Rgnl

flightaware.com

They had already done 3 TGLs, and were turning for another when the collision occurred.
There is no data for the Cub ever since it flew into Lakeland from Jekyll Island back on January 9.

ETA: ever

 

[fred&edna]

I found this analysis very informative.

 

[WingsOverTX]

I found this analysis very informative.

Great analysis.

JACK BROWN
Pretty amazing Cub seaplanes out of Jack Brown have no tower communication equipment at all. A 60-year record of safety without it is remarkable. It will be interesting to see what NTSB thinks.

ANALYSIS
Amazing that you can have a plane coming straight at yours as the analysis states & not know it until it's too late.

It sounds like increasing traffic at this small airport may have tested the limits of procedures & protocols in place for many years too far.

Anything that can be done to improve situational awareness for pilots using this airport should be explored. And any small airport experiencing increasing traffic would be well-advised to do likewise based on what is stated in the video.

I appreciate the analysis not assigning blame to any party. Such a tragic event with a sad outcome.

JMO

 

[Laughing]

Happy Saturday from our Double Post Gremlin!

image from Clipart Library


Must be interested in aviation!

 

[Laughing]

Great analysis imho.

ooooh, did not know that the float planes have very limited avionics! Not required, per this knowledgeable analyst.

imho, if the float plane had been in contact with the Lakeland tower -- we would not be here.

 

[IceIce9]

Frightening, I had no idea teens could fly. And flying solo at 16. Crazy.

Some of the high schools in the area where I live offer flight training as a course, and students can earn their pilot license while in high school. It’s a popular course and many students have their pilot’s license by the time they graduate high school.

 

[WingsOverTX]

Great analysis imho.

ooooh, did not know that the float planes have very limited avionics! Not required, per this knowledgeable analyst.

imho, if the float plane had been in contact with the Lakeland tower -- we would not be here.

RBBM
The float plane lacking communications is significant. Great point.

However, the other pilot had better visibility (was not facing the sun) & descended into the Cub's airspace IMO. Whether that constitutes pilot "error," I can't say. Maybe.

Evaluating this incident/accident on the basis of hindsight (if only the Cub had pilot been able to talk to the tower) does not change the facts here.

The timing seems to be most critical in this incident based on the pilots' reasonably operating within known limitations that had no history of causing crashes at this airport.

I expect changes will be made to greatly reduce the already small collision chances at this airport.

Until the NTSB finds or assigns fault, I will withhold judgment as to that.

JMO

 

[WingsOverTX]

Remembering those lost.

Randall Crawford

‘It is a great loss’: Active central Pa. pilot killed in midair crash while vacationing

Randy Crawford, 67, died in the Florida crash that also killed another experienced Pa. pilot and two others in a second plane.

www.pennlive.com

Zachary Mace

Zachary Gene Mace

WINTER HAVEN, Fla., — A celebration of life for Zachary Gene Mace, 19, was Sunday in Lakeland, Florida. In lieu of flowers, a GoFundMe account at www.gofundme.com/f/zachary-mace has been set

www.state-journal.com

 

[WingsOverTX]

Faith Baker Rowe - would have been married a year on March 18

Faith Rowe Obituary - Winter Haven, FL

Celebrate the life of Faith Rowe, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of .

www.dignitymemorial.com

 

[WingsOverTX]

Louis DeFazio

Fredericksburg loses local aviator

The Fredericksburg aviation community lost a wonderful man to a mid-air collision Winter Haven, Florida on Tuesday.

www.fredericksburgstandard.com

Funeral arrangements are pending. A condolence book will be available at the Fredericksburg FBO beginning Thursday afternoon and a a memorial service will be held at Gillespie County Airport later this spring.