CHI05LA128

Factual narrative

On May 28, 2005, about 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna T210N, N6366Y, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage, and a Piper PA-25-235, N9886P, piloted by a commercial pilot, was undamaged, when they collided at the intersection of runway 35 and runway 14 at Smith Center Municipal Airport (K82), Smith Center, Kansas. The Cessna was rolling out after landing on runway 35 (3,601 feet by 50 feet, asphalt) and the Piper was landing on runway 14 (2,453 feet by 75 feet, turf) when the accident occurred. The Cessna was being operated on a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91. The Piper was returning from a local aerial application flight under 14 CFR Part 137. Neither flight was on a flight plan at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot and passenger on-board the Cessna and the pilot on-board the Piper were not injured. The Cessna pilot reported that he made several position reports on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) as the flight approached K82. He stated that he entered the traffic pattern and landed on runway 35. He reported that as the aircraft was rolling out after landing he observed the second aircraft landing on runway 14 to his immediate left. He noted that the second aircraft passed in front of his Cessna. He stated that he applied brakes and "swerved hard to the left," but was unable to avoid a collision. The Cessna pilot reported that his aircraft departed the left side of the pavement "slightly" where it struck a runway light before he regained control. The Piper pilot reported that some showers were passing through the area. He noted that he executed a go-around during his first approach because visibility had been reduced due to rain on the windshield. At the time of his second approach the shower had passed. He estimated the visibility at 10 statute miles at that time. He reported that he was landing on runway 14 while the Cessna aircraft was landing on runway 35. He stated that neither pilot saw the other aircraft involved, which resulted in a "minor" collision. The Piper's right wing tip contacted the Cessna's right flap and right horizontal stabilizer resulting in substantial damage to the Cessna. The Piper airplane was undamaged in the collision. The Piper aircraft was not equipped with a communications radio. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations require pilots to "see and avoid" other aircraft when possible. Part 91.119, right-of-way rules, stated that when weather conditions permit "vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft." In addition, "aircraft, while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or operation on the surface, except that they shall not take advantage of this rule to force an aircraft off the runway surface which has already landed." The FAA Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) noted: "There is no substitute for alertness while in the vicinity of an airport. It is essential that pilots be alert and look for other traffic and exchange traffic information when approaching or departing an airport without an operating control tower. This is of particular importance since other aircraft may not have communication capability." According to an airport diagram, the runway intersection was located approximately 1,700 feet from the approach end of runway 35 and approximately 550 feet from the approach end of runway 14. A Cessna T210N airplane sustained substantial damage and a Piper PA-25 airplane was undamaged during an on-ground collision which occurred while both aircraft were landing on intersecting runways. The Cessna pilot reported that he made several position reports on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) for the uncontrolled airport as the flight approached to land. He stated that he entered the traffic pattern and landed on runway 35. He reported that as the aircraft was rolling out after landing he observed the Piper aircraft landing on runway 14 to his immediate left. He noted that the Piper aircraft passed in front of his Cessna. He stated that he applied brakes and "swerved hard to the left," but was unable to avoid a collision. The Cessna pilot reported that his aircraft departed the left side of the pavement "slightly" where it struck a runway light before he regained control. The Piper pilot reported that he was landing on runway 14 while the Cessna aircraft was landing on runway 35. He stated that neither pilot saw the other aircraft involved, which resulted in a "minor" collision. The Piper aircraft was not equipped with a communications radio. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations require pilots to "see and avoid" other aircraft when possible. Right-of-way rules (14 CFR 91.119) stated that when weather conditions permit "vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft." In addition, aircraft on final approach to land or in the process of landing "have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or operating on the surface, except that they shall not take advantage of this rule to force an aircraft off the runway surface which has already landed." The runway intersection was located approximately 1,700 feet from the approach end of runway 35 and approximately 550 feet from the approach end of runway 14. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12