Belleview, FL, USA
N321JK
Christen Industries Eagle II
N6718N
Mooney M-20
According to witnesses, and the two pilots, the Mooney, N6718N, was landing on the uncontrolled grass strip to the south on runway 18, and the Christian Eagle, N321JK,, was on a takeoff roll to the north runway 36. The airplanes collided wing tip to wing tip substantially damaging both airplanes.
On July 4, 2001, at 1500 eastern daylight time, a Christian Eagle II, N321JK, taking off to the north, collided with a Mooney M-20, N6718N, landing to the south, at the Backaches air field, an uncontrolled airport, in Belleview, Florida. Both airplanes were being operated by commercial pilots under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plans were filed for the local flights. Neither pilot was injured and both airplanes sustained substantial damage. The Christian Eagle departed the air field in Belleview about 1500, and the Mooney had departed the same air field earlier at 1420. According to witnesses, the Mooney was landing on the grass strip to the south and the Christian Eagle was on a takeoff roll to the north. The airplanes collided wing tip to wing tip, substantially damaging both airplanes. According to the pilot of Christian Eagle, he taxied to the departure end of runway 36, looked for traffic, did a run up and taxied into position. He stated he made a radio call, and started his takeoff roll. He said that as he lifted the tail of the airplane, he saw the Mooney immediately in front of him nose to nose. He said his speed was about 60 mph, and he was unable to avoid the collision. According to the pilot of the Mooney, he had departed the Backaches Airfield about 1420 with two passengers for a local flight. The wind was directly out of the south, as indicated by the wind sock, so he chose to use runway 18 for takeoff. Upon returning to the airport for landing about 40 minutes later, the pilot again checked the windsock and stated it was still indicating that runway 18 was the upwind runway to use. The pilot stated he did a crosswind looking for traffic, entered a downwind, then base, and final to landing. At the end of the landing roll, he saw the Christian Eagle move to a 90 degree position to runway 18. He felt certain that the airplane would depart runway 36. He said he could clearly see him, at the 90 degree position, and was sure that the other airplane saw him. The pilot stated that he had about 40 feet to go before he could turn off onto the taxiway when the Christian Eagle immediately turned and accelerated for a 36 takeoff. The Mooney pilot said he could see that he was not going to make the turnoff and swerved to the right near a fence line. He said that it was at this point that the Christian Eagle struck the outer three feet of his left wing. According to Title 14 CFR Part 91.113(g), "Aircraft, while on final approach to landing or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or operating on the surface." According to Title 14 CFR Part 91.113(e), "When aircraft are approaching each other head-on, or nearly so, each pilot of each aircraft shall alter course to the right."
The pilot of the Christian Eagle II, N321JK, failure to maintain visual look out, prior to takeoff.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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