CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD
AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT
COLLISION OF CIVIL AIR PATROL AERONCA
L-16A, N 9330H, AND CESSNA 140, N 1652V, NEAR
NORTH PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT,
PENNSYLVANIA, SEPTEMBER 30, 1959
SYNOPSIS
At approximately 1430 e.s.t., September 30, 1959, a Cessna 140, N 1652V, owned and flown by Mr. Richard G. Hochrein, while on final approach to runway 15 at the North Philadelphia Airport collided with an Aeronca L-16A, N 9330H, owned and operated by Philadelphia Group No. 10, 31st Pennsylvania Wing of the Civil Air Patrol piloted by Mr. Robert T. Wilson. The Cessna crashed to the ground, killing the pilot. The pilot of the Aeronca was able to regain control of his damaged aircraft and effect a successful landing.
The Board has determined that this accident was caused by the failure of the FAA tower personnel to issue timely air traffic control advisories to Cessna N 1652V which would have alerted the pilot to a possible traffic conflict, and the failure of the two pilots to maintain proper vigilance to avoid collision while flying a traffic pattern in preparation for landing.
Investigation
At approximately 1355,[1] Mr. Robert T. Wilson, a pilot with the Pennsylvania Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, departed North Philadelphia Airport piloting a silver-painted CAP Aeronca, N 9330H, for a local solo training flight. The Aeronca did not have a radio and, according to Mr. Wilson, received a green light from the tower for takeoff. After takeoff, the aircraft departed the field area for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. it then returned to the North Philadelphia Airport and began making touch-and-go landings utilizing runway 15. Mr. Wilson held a valid private pilot certificate and had a total of 600 flying hours.
At approximately 1400, a Cessna 140, N 1652V, painted green trim on cream, owned and piloted by Mr. Richard G. Hochrein of Portland, Pennsylvania, departed Lake Susquehanna Airport, Blairstown, New Jersey, for the North Philadelphia Airport. At approximately 1420, the North Philadelphia Airport tower received a radio call from N 1652V requesting landing instructions. The tower cleared the aircraft to enter the landing pattern and to land on runway 15. No traffic information was given to the pilot at this time. Mr. Hochrein held a
- ↑ All times herein are eastern standard based on the 24-hour clock.
