Piper PA-28-181 and Robin, Avions Pierre R.2160 mid-air collision near Ramona, California, February 8, 1996
On February 8, 1996 at about 6:52 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Piper PA-28-181 (N791CR) and Robin, Avions Pierre R.2160 (N216JM), were involved in a mid-air collision near Ramona, California (Ramona airport). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
inadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both airplanes, which resulted in their failure to see and avoid each other.
inadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both airplanes, which resulted in their failure to see and avoid each other.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 8, 1996 · about 6:52 pm local time
- Place
- Ramona, California · Ramona · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Piper PA-28-181 · all PA-28-181s on the register
- Registration
- N791CR · registry record · serial 28-8090259
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Robin, Avions Pierre R.2160
- Registration
- N216JM · registry record · serial 202
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Piper PA-28-181 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilots of Piper PA-28, N791CR, and Avions Pierre Robin R.2160, N216JM, were approaching an uncontrolled airport to enter the traffic pattern and land. Before reaching the traffic pattern, both pilots heard other traffic on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). As they were positioning themselves to enter a left traffic pattern at a 45-degree angle, a midair collision occurred. The PA-28 pilot said that before the collision, he made a radio transmission announcing his position and intentions to land on runway 27. Moments later, he saw a 'blue and white flash' to his right and below his right wing, then he felt an impact as the two airplanes collided. After the collision, the PA-28 pilot declared an emergency and continued to a landing on runway 27; he did not realize that the PA-28's right main gear had separated until the airplane touched down. The R.2160 pilot said that before the collision, he looked for another airplane that he heard on the CTAF, but did not see it. Moments later, his canopy 'blew off' as the airplanes collided, and the engine began to vibrate severely. The R.2160 pilot landed in an open field, but the airplane erupted in flames after touchdown and was destroyed. There was evidence that the PA-28's right main landing gear tire struck the R.2160's upper canopy, and that the R.2160's propeller struck the PA-28's nosegear tire, nosegear strut, and the underside of the cowling.
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 Robin, Avions Pierre R.2160 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilots of Piper PA-28, N791CR, and Avions Pierre Robin R.2160, N216JM, were approaching an uncontrolled airport to enter the traffic pattern and land. Before reaching the traffic pattern, both pilots heard other traffic on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). As they were positioning themselves to enter a left traffic pattern at a 45-degree angle, a midair collision occurred. The PA-28 pilot said that before the collision, he made a radio transmission announcing his position and intentions to land on runway 27. Moments later, he saw a 'blue and white flash' to his right and below his right wing, then he felt an impact as the two airplanes collided. After the collision, the PA-28 pilot declared an emergency and continued to a landing on runway 27; he did not realize that the PA-28's right main gear had separated until the airplane touched down. The R.2160 pilot said that before the collision, he looked for another airplane that he heard on the CTAF, but did not see it. Moments later, his canopy 'blew off' as the airplanes collided, and the engine began to vibrate severely. The R.2160 pilot landed in an open field, but the airplane erupted in flames after touchdown and was destroyed. There was evidence that the PA-28's right main landing gear tire struck the R.2160's upper canopy, and that the R.2160's propeller struck the PA-28's nosegear tire, nosegear strut, and the underside of the cowling.
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 Piper PA-28-181 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 69 hours in all; 7 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 32 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,769 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, December 4, 1995; 59 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,558 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4M (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Airtime Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: CRQ Carlsbad CA at 6:35 pm
- Destination: L39
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 4,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Robin, Avions Pierre R.2160 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,320 hours in all; 482 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 1,241 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 600 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 19, 1995; 29 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,764 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D2A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: MYF San Diego CA at 10:33 am
- Destination: L39
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number LAX96FA108.