CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 13 Issue 3 - 30

CFI TOOLS
GENERAL AVIATION AVERAGES ABOUT FOUR FATAL MIDAIRS
A YEAR. EIGHTY PERCENT HAPPEN ON FINAL, DURING DAY
VMC, WITHIN FIVE MILES OF AN AIRPORT, BETWEEN 10 A.M.
AND 5 P.M. ON WEEKENDS.
The two accidents illustrate the importance of situational
awareness and conducting a visual check of the final approach
segment whether flying at a towered or nontowered airport.
CFIs, please share ASI's free programs-the Runway Safety
Online Course and the Collision Avoidance Safety Spotlight-
that are mentioned in the sidebars to help your students and
clients learn more about how to safely operate near or at an
airport and avoid a potential collision.
General aviation averages about four fatal midairs a year. Eighty
percent happen on final, during day VMC, within five miles of an
airport, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekends.
EARLY ANALYSIS: WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA
On August 18, 2022, a twin-engine Cessna 340A with two
persons on board and a single-engine Cessna 152 with one
person on board collided on final approach at Watsonville
Municipal Airport in California. Sadly, all three occupants were
killed in the tragic collision.
The weather was VFR, clear, with 10 miles visibility. The Cessna
152 had been doing traffic pattern work and was on a left base for
Runway 20 turning final. The twin Cessna was on a straight-in
approach for Runway 20. ADS-B tracking data appears to indicate
that the twin's airspeed was high during descent and final approach
to Runway 20. According to ATC recordings, about 10 seconds after
the twin Cessna pilot announced on the common traffic advisory
that he was three miles out, the Cessna 152 pilot announced being
on a left base for Runway 20. The twin pilot then called a one mile
final and that he was looking for the traffic on left base. The Cessna
152 pilot immediately responded that he saw the twin behind him-
seconds later he said he was going around because the twin was
closing in fast. That was the last transmission from either aircraft.
ASI RECOMMENDS DOING A BELLY CHECK WHEN YOU'RE
COMING OFF AN EXTENDED TURN OR WHEN TURNING
FROM BASE TO FINAL.
Following the collision, the Cessna 152 crashed in a grassy area
near the runway, bursting into flames. The Cessna 340 crashed
on the runway, veered off and came to rest into a hangar.
Runway Safety
Online Course
Whether departing from or
arriving at an airport, cockpit
distractions, confusing airport
layouts, and miscommunications
can spell trouble. Add surface
vehicles and airport blind spots
to the mix and you've got a
complex environment in which to
operate. Improve your situational
awareness and communication
habits with practical, down-toearth
guidance offered in this
course. Take the online course.
Note, if you don't have an AOPA
account, you can create a free
account to take the course.
Click on the multimedia icon to view the video.
https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/online-learning/online-courses/runway-safety
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 13 Issue 3

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 13 Issue 3
