Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On August 14, 2010, approximately 1100 mountain daylight time, N28KT, a Shpakow SA 750 bi-plane, was substantially damaged when it collided with a radio controlled AJ Slick airplane, while performing a go-around at the Van-Aire Estates Airport (CO12), Brighton, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight departed Centennial Airport (KAPA), Denver, Colorado, approximately 1030, and was destined for Brighton, Colorado.

According to a telephone conversation and subsequent written statement submitted by the pilot of the bi-plane, he was flying to CO12 to participate in a fly-in and BBQ event. Prior to his flight, he had contacted the event organizer, coordinated his arrival, and received a briefing that there would be radio controlled airplane models flying between 1000 and 1400. While on approach to runway 12, he observed a Cessna airplane on the runway and performed a go-around. During his second approach to runway 12, he felt that his approach speed was fast, and the airplane was not aligned properly so he added power, turned his smoke on to increase visibility to the radio controlled airplane operators, and announced that he was performing a go-around.

While performing the go-around, the radio controlled airplane impacted the lower left wing of the bi-plane. The pilot of the bi-plane reported that he lost altitude but was able to recover and land the bi-plane without further incident. He stated that he did not see the radio controlled airplane until just prior to the impact.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the bi-plane reported that lower left wing was crushed aft to the main spar. A six to eight inch tear was noted in the upper left wing fabric, and damage was noted on the leading edge of the left aileron.

According to a telephone conversation and subsequent written statement submitted by the pilot of the radio controlled airplane, he had been cleared by the “air boss” to exhibit his airplane in flight. He understood that the event coordinator (air boss) was providing see and avoid assistance and communicating with airplanes flying in and out of the airport. The pilot of the radio controlled airplane reported that during his routine, the bi-plane came from out of nowhere and “slammed” into his radio controlled airplane. He reported that his airplane was destroyed.

During the event, a video was made of the radio controlled airplane performance. The video captured the events prior to the collision, as well as the collision between the radio controlled airplane and the bi-plane. The beginning of the video showed the radio controlled airplane being operated directly over the runway environment with the operator on the runway, very close to the airplane. The airplane was in a nose high, tail low