Beech V35 and Piper PA-28-161 mid-air collision near Winter Haven, Florida, November 23, 2008
On November 23, 2008 at about 1:30 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Beech V35 (N4396W) and Piper PA-28-161 (N121DL), were involved in a mid-air collision near Winter Haven, Florida (Winter Haven'S Gilbert airport). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Both pilots’ failure to see and avoid the other airplane. Contributing to the accident was the Beech pilot’s failure to monitor or utilize the common traffic advisory frequency.
Both pilots’ failure to see and avoid the other airplane. Contributing to the accident was the Beech pilot’s failure to monitor or utilize the common traffic advisory frequency.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 23, 2008 · about 1:30 pm local time
- Place
- Winter Haven, Florida · Winter Haven'S Gilbert · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Beech V35 B · all V35s on the register
- Registration
- N4396W · no longer on the register · serial D-9592
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Piper PA-28-161 · all PA-28-161s on the register
- Registration
- N121DL · no longer on the register · serial 28-8016115
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Beech V35 final · quoted from the NTSB record
A Piper PA-28-161 airplane had just departed the uncontrolled airport for a local flight, and was making position announcements over the common traffic advisory frequency. It climbed to the north as a Beech V35B airplane approached from the north. The pilot of the Beech airplane was tuned to the automated surface observation system, to prepare for the airport traffic pattern entry. The pilots observed each other as the airplanes approached nearly head on at the same altitude. Both pilots took evasive action and banked sharply to the left. The right wing tip of the Beech airplane contacted the underside of the Piper airplane, resulting in substantial damage to both airplanes. Both airplanes landed without further incident, and the pilots and passengers of both airplanes were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the collision.
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 Piper PA-28-161 final · quoted from the NTSB record
A Piper PA-28-161 airplane had just departed the uncontrolled airport for a local flight, and was making position announcements over the common traffic advisory frequency. It climbed to the north as a Beech V35B airplane approached from the north. The pilot of the Beech airplane was tuned to the automated surface observation system, to prepare for the airport traffic pattern entry. The pilots observed each other as the airplanes approached nearly head on at the same altitude. Both pilots took evasive action and banked sharply to the left. The right wing tip of the Beech airplane contacted the underside of the Piper airplane, resulting in substantial damage to both airplanes. Both airplanes landed without further incident, and the pilots and passengers of both airplanes were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the collision.
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 Beech V35 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other person › Pilot of other aircraft
- factor Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring communications › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,869 hours in all; 1,856 in this make and model; 55 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: November 22, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,416 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 1, 2008; 117 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO520 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FD04 Ocala/Belleview FL at 1:00 pm
- Destination: GIF Winter Haven FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.43 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from GIF, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
The factual record for the Piper PA-28-161 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot of other aircraft
- factor Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring communications › Pilot of other aircraft
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 50 hours in all; 22 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: September 15, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,600 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 25, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,325 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GIF Winter Haven FL at 1:24 pm
- Destination: GIF Winter Haven FL
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.