Hello everyone. new member!

This is way off the modeling track, but I'll give you guys the latest update.

Cessna 172 was heading north and climbing out of Centennial Airport which is at the southern part of the city. The time is shortly after sunset. He's slightly lower than the twin and climbing out of 7300 ft receiving permission from ATC to go 8000 ft.

Piper Apache heading south maintaining roughly level altitude and slightly above the Cessna (7600 to 7800 feet). For some reason the Piper was not transponding altitude but the pilot was asked for altitude by Denver air traffic and provided information as requested.

Both aircraft were being tracked by Denver International Airport traffic control. Both aircraft were warned of the other at approx. 1 mile separation (not very much distance). The Piper made an evasive maneuver at the last minute. The Cessna aparently didn't make any adjustments. The two aircraft clipped wings head on.

The Piper went inverted and did a flat spin to the ground. The Cessna lost half it's wing, nosed straight in. Both crashed in a crowded neighborhood where houses are very close together. Amazingly only a few people on the ground were injured, and that was because they were too close to the aircraft after the fuel exploded.

The evidence indicates that lighting, pilot error, malfunctioning or not operating transponder, and not enough warning given by ATC all played a part in this terrible accident. The lawyers should stay busy on this one for years.

Take care and safe flying

Not to get too far off the modeling subject but, it's not hard for a high wing and a low wing aircraft to violate one anothers airspace. If the 172 was below the chyenne then it would be very difficult for either pilot to see each other. A few years ago at the airport that I work two 172R's collided on a late sunny afternoon. One was flying a R/H pattern and the other a L/H. Both were on base turning final at the exact same time and never saw each other. They tangled in mid air and crashed together. That was a strange one.

I'm a student pilot as well as mechanic.

Darren

I'm amazed the word got all the way down there. Mid-air is such a rare event. I can't ever recall one happening. I can only speculate what happened.

As for me I'm well educated and trained in flying. Lots and lots of simulator time, just very little actual flying. It's difficult to justify that kind of money for something I probably wont make a living at doing. But when it comes time to check out of this world I would like to know that I completed this dream. It frightens my wife so it will be difficult to convince her it's safe. Got to try though!

Yeah I heard about that crash... But when you have 2000 aircraft airborne at any one time in the United States, you have got to expect occasionally something will go wrong, as it does in life....

Well for me personally, no matter what air accident I hear about, I never lose the confidence in flying, and the aeroplane itself. If you follow the rules and procedures, display good airmenship, you have a MUCH higher chance of not having any accidents, or, standing a very high chance of surviving if the aeroplane gets into difficultly whether that be weather or mechanical failure.

Nothing will deter my confidence, but for youself, just think, the aeroplane can't be blamed for a pilot's mistake, so if you are trained properly in a good environment which teaches you thoroughly the emergency procedures for given aircraft, all you need, is to be confident in yourself.

Regards,

Andrew

Welcome Andrew. I'm considering (if my wife will let me) starting on my private pilot's license. Pray for me! Two days ago we had a mid-air accident about 10 miles south of where I live involving a 172 and a twin Piper. Amazing that they hit, but even more amazing nobody on the ground was killed. This didn't do a lot for my case I'm afraid.

I've always been a P-51D enthusiast myself. I've always admired the Spitfire too. But my association with some F4U pilots and the opportunity to sit in Corsair this past summer have made me a Corsair fan for life.

Anyway, we look forward to your input.

Dave