Beech A36 and Cessna 182B mid-air collision near Salisbury Twp, Pennsylvania, July 30, 1989
On July 30, 1989 at about 5:35 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Beech A36 (N2063V) and Cessna 182B (N2639G), were involved in a mid-air collision near Salisbury Twp, Pennsylvania (Allentown Queen City airport). 7 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO SEE AND AVOID EACH OTHER. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THAT NEITHER PILOT WAS HEARD OVER THE RADIO ANNOUNCING THEIR POSITION AND INTENTIONS.
THE FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO SEE AND AVOID EACH OTHER. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THAT NEITHER PILOT WAS HEARD OVER THE RADIO ANNOUNCING THEIR POSITION AND INTENTIONS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 30, 1989 · about 5:35 pm local time
- Place
- Salisbury Twp, Pennsylvania · Allentown Queen City · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- 7 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Beech A36 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N2063V · no longer on the register · serial E-1432
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Skydiving flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 182B · all 182Bs on the register
- Registration
- N2639G · registry record · serial 51939
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Beech A36 final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA 182 WAS DESCENDING IN A RIGHT TURN AFTER DROPPING PARACHUTE JUMPERS AT 4500 FT MSL. AS HE DESCENDED BELOW 1500 FT MSL, HIS AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A BEECH A36. THE A36 HAD DEPARTED FROM THE QUEEN CITY AIRPORT AND WAS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND AT THE AIRPORT WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED. THE CESSNA CRASHED IN A PAVED PARKING LOT OF A SHOPPING CENTER AND THE BEECH CRASHED INTO A NEW CAR DEALERSHIP'S PARKING LOT. BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE DESTROYED ALONG WITH SEVERAL CARS IN THE DEALERSHIP'S LOT.
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 Cessna 182B final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA 182 WAS DESCENDING IN A RIGHT TURN AFTER DROPPING PARACHUTE JUMPERS AT 4500 FT MSL. AS HE DESCENDED BELOW 1500 FT MSL, HIS AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A BEECH A36. THE A36 HAD DEPARTED FROM THE QUEEN CITY AIRPORT AND WAS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND AT THE AIRPORT WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED. THE CESSNA CRASHED IN A PAVED PARKING LOT OF A SHOPPING CENTER AND THE BEECH CRASHED INTO A NEW CAR DEALERSHIP'S PARKING LOT. BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE DESTROYED ALONG WITH SEVERAL CARS IN THE DEALERSHIP'S LOT.
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 A36 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 258 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 145 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,280 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 15, 1989; 47 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,650 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-BB (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 1N9 Allentown PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 8,000 ft; scat at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:00 pm from ABE, 4 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 4 |
The factual record for the Cessna 182B from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 11,442 hours in all; 561 in this make and model; 41 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 11,047 as pilot in command; 749 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,286 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 1989; 29 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-L (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 1N9 Allentown PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25
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.