Cessna 172N and Beech V35B mid-air collision near Sharonville, Ohio, May 11, 2007
On May 11, 2007 at about 7:02 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Cessna 172N (N6614D) and Beech V35B (N1835L), were involved in a mid-air collision near Sharonville, Ohio (Cincinnati-Blue Ash Airport). 3 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The inadequate visual lookout of the pilots in both airplanes, and their failure to maintain clearance from each other's airplane.
The inadequate visual lookout of the pilots in both airplanes and their not maintaining clearance from each others airplane during climb.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 11, 2007 · about 7:02 pm local time
- Place
- Sharonville, Ohio · Cincinnati-Blue Ash Airport · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Cessna 172N · all 172Ns on the register
- Registration
- N6614D · no longer on the register · serial 17272901
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Beech V35B · all V35Bs on the register
- Registration
- N1835L · no longer on the register · serial D-10097
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 172N final · quoted from the NTSB record
Two airplanes, a high-wing Cessna, and a low-wing Beech, collided in midair, about two miles north of a non-tower controlled general aviation airport. Both airplanes had departed the same airport about 8 minutes apart. Radar data from a nearby air traffic control approach facility disclosed that the first to depart was the Beech, and the pilot requested VFR flight following from air traffic control. Due to workload, the air traffic control specialist declined to provide the service. Radar derived information indicated that the Beech was maneuvering north of the airport at altitudes between 2,600 and 2,900 feet msl, and then began a descent and a return to the airport. The Cessna began his departure and climb as the Beech approached the airport. A witness related that he saw both airplanes approaching each other, about ½ mile apart, on an apparent collision course, but not directly head-on. He watched as both airplanes closed their relative distance, and saw both airplanes roll towards each other, clipping each other's wing. Both airplanes immediately descended to impact. Postaccident inspection disclosed no preaccident mechanical issues with either airplane. The sky was clear, and both pilot's had been communicating on the local airport Unicom (voluntary traffic advisory) frequency. Federal aviation regulations state that each pilot has the responsibility to see and avoid each other.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the Beech V35B final · quoted from the NTSB record
The radar screen depictions of the flights showed an airplane departing from the airport about 1452. A pilot representing N1835L requested flight following. The flight following was not available due to controller workload. The radar showed that the airplane was performing maneuvers north of the airport between 2,600 and 2,900 feet above mean sea level. The radar showed that airplane descending and returning to the airport. The radar showed another airplane departing from the airport to the north about 1500. The second airplane was climbing. The radar data showed that about 1502, the airplanes' radar returns came together. A witness stated, "I looked out my window right in front of my desk after [a co-worker] said 'Oh My God.' I then saw the two planes within about 1/2 mile apart and heading in a direction towards each other but not directly head on. When the planes were very close, ... both rolled inside towards each other and that is when the wings clipped each other. No pre-impact anomalies were detected during the examination of either airplane. The sky condition was clear. Both airplanes were communicating on the airport's Unicom frequency. 14 CFR Part 91.113 stated that the pilots in both airplanes are responsible to see and avoid each other.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Cessna 172N from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Flight instructor
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,241 hours in all; 2,159 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
Dual student
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 119 hours in all; 60 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,502 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4M (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ISZ Blue Ash OH at 7:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from LUK, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
The factual record for the Beech V35B from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,100 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,089 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550-B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ISZ Blue Ash OH at 6:52 pm
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.