Centennial Mid-Air Collision! 5/12/2021

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[@mzrcnn]

9:29 To answer your "what's unclear?" ... I'm retired ATC and I was unbiased when I saw and listened to this. My clear answer is: No, 6DJ had no clue about the Metroliner at all. Cirrus 6DJ was cleared to land visually, was generously following his preceding traffic Cessna 3SP in a wide right turn, concentrating on the things ahead, and 6DJ was banking to the right, not seeing at all who was approaching at a higher speed in a descent from the left, a couple of feet lower at impact. The male Controller had passed a fluffy and unsuitable traffic information at the wrong moment, after the landing clearance had already been issued, and which had not been perceived as an essential traffic information. The Metroliner was also cleared to land, but by a different Controller. The Metroliner didn't really exist in the perception of the Cirrus Pilot. The most intriguing part in this happy-end tragedy, however, appears to play the FAA. Not even the individual Controllers, but the Administration. I'm stunned when I hear two different Tower Controllers, West & East on two different radio frequencies, neither of them being fully in control, but both drowning in an absurd situation. From my own work experience, this is actually an unsafe No-Go. One Control sector = one Controller. It is NOT a high workload at all, but quite comfortable, when a Controller is working with 4 aircraft on approach for landing on his frequency. No need for another Controller who's botching the situation. Keep in mind that the lateral separation on final approach for RWYs 17R and 17L is only 700 feet. It is only possible to safely clear two aircraft for simultaneous visual approaches and landings under these circumstances when Visual Separation HAS been established. A Controller needs to make this sure. But it had not been, and it was impossible to make it safely when TWO different Controllers were independently responsible for ONE joint conflict. We hear an insecure Controller saying and kinda desperately asking "Cirrus 6DJ do not overshoot the final, do you require assistance?" whilst this poor guy does not have authority to work with the Metroliner to resolve the conflict long before it ever happened. To my biggest surprise, the Pilots were unable to monitor the radio transmissions of the other conflicting party, but in the Charts, there is only one published frequency Centennial Tower on 118.9. However, in the recording of the Solo Student Pilot, there is no voice of any female Controller working with the Metroliner. Pilots were flying in acoustic bubbles which didn't match the actual traffic picture. In such a configuration, Pilots are IMHO much safer without any ATC at all.

[@markim5087]

Why on earth aren’t they giving the amount of traffic ,heck I’m blind in one eye and if I asked my passengers while I’m driving if I’m clear it’s common sense to say yeah after ONE CAR, or two cars ..the traffic control played a huge part in this crash

[@mzrcnn]

@@markim5087 You remember the old saying: "Too many cooks spoil the broth".? Look, there is an Air Traffic Control Tower, when they clear the Cirrus to follow the preceding traffic, and then clear to land, then the Pilot will follow the traffic ahead and prepare for landing. If I had been on duty that day, this is what I would have done and said over the radio ... "Cirrus 6DJ, you're Number 2 for landing RWY 17R, Follow a Cessna on final approach, Do not overshoot the centerline. Additional traffic at your 1 to 2 o'clock position, 7600 feet, 2 miles, a Metroliner, turning final RWY 17L. Report traffic in sight.!" Once the Cirrus pilot had reported to me: "6DJ has the traffic in sight", only then I would have issued the landing clearance "6DJ, Wind calm, Cleared to land RWY 17Right" Then the Cirrus Pilot would have read back "Cleared to land 17R, 6DJ" Then I would have continued: "Key Lime 790, Traffic 1 o'clock, 1 mile, 6500 feet, a Cessna turning final for RWY 17R, Additional traffic 2 o'clock, 2 miles, 7300 feet, a Cirrus turning right base RWY 17R, Wind calm, Cleared to land RWY 17Left." The Metroliner guy then would have replied: "Cleared to land 17L and traffic in sight, Key Lime 790." No second Controller required. That is the job for only one Controller who makes sure that the guys in the air do have a realistic chance to see each other in visual flight operations, and they all monitor only one radio frequency to get a picture of the traffic situation, of who else is still around. The Metroliner guy would actually have started looking for his traffic early, once he had heard my traffic information to the Cirrus Pilot regarding the Metroliner for 17L. But if you're on a different frequency, you can't.

[@Triple_J.1]

@@mzrcnn Great Comments. I appreciate your insight. My primary flight training took place at Reid-Hillview in San Jose, where there are Two parallel runways, with very little seperation on final, well-within 500' If I remember correctly. An extremely high workload, environment for everyone, and one tower. Those guys were the best of the best, and I didn't realize how good we had it at that airport. There was frequently 12-14 airplanes in the pattern, flying closed traffic, very tight traffic pattern due to noise abatement, crosswind, downwind, and final were all kept within 1/2 mile of the 3300 foot runways. Traffic was spaced about 1/2 mile nose to tail. Utilizing both runways, every landing approch had a high chance of being a go-around due to the close spacing with the aircraft in front, and all is student pilots were disciplined in efficient touch and goes. All this took place with countless additional inbound traffic every five to ten minutes, sometines two or three at a time would arrive on their respective 45°s and often straight in. Extended downwinds were often given, tower would call our base or give us the initiative to follow traffic in sight. It was hectic! But within a week or two I was able to get up to speed. And now flying in and out of a very busy non-towered airport with mixed traffic, helicopter schools using the taxiways for landing practice, several busy flight schools, to all the corporate jets, and a rare boeing or Blackhawk arrives every so often. It's a nightmare compared to RHV and their Ace ATC crew.

[@JCON631]

Let's not ignore the fact that if the radar data tag is accurate, the Cirrus was screaming into the pattern at between 150-160 kts. over the ground. Poor energy management and situational awareness. Congratulations to the Metroliner Capt. Someone from UPS should be recruiting him.

[@kend4438]

@@JCON631 Exactly! More than 60 kts. faster than a proper pattern altitude, and therefore overshoots his turn to final into the pattern of the Metroliner. Plus, he specifically confirmed to the controller that he had that "traffic in sight" when it seems he in fact did not.

[@morthomer5804]

I want to see the pilots expression when he open the cockpit door and looked back at the fuselage

[@easternwoods4378]

He's going to need a shower to cleanup

[@kingcraven8056]

What about the people on the Hawaiian air flight that had a sudden convertible.

[@bw162]

@@easternwoods4378 Maybe not. Not knowing probably saved the day.

[@hiturbine]

Wanna bet his lower jaw needed a parachute, as it was headed for the tarmac?

[@jimh4375]

I wanna see the look on his face as he opened the door to see Blancolirio waiting to interview.

[@bw162]

Circa 1980 near Santa Ana, Beech C90 and Cessna 150 collided. Cessna went down with 2 fatalities. KIng Air limped in to John Wayne on one engine. I inspected the KA. It had prop strikes along the bottom left wing that penetrated and cut half of the braided aileron cable. I told the pilot how fortunate he was to which he replied, “You have no idea. This is my 2nd mid-air.”

[@thebodaciousgaucho]

The San Antonio Sewerpipe is one tough airplane. Worked for Key Lime years and years ago - Cliff will have that thing flying again soon ... its not in much worse shape than the rest of the fleet.

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

Awesome comment ...it's a Texas airline?

[@jakejacobs7584]

The click clacks will never be the same.

[@nzsaltflatsracer8054]

A sheet of corrugated roofing steel & some grabber screws should stiffen that ol girl right up again!

[@jakejacobs7584]

@@nzsaltflatsracer8054 lmfao

[@TheTsunamijuan]

sheet metal, rivets and paint, makes her the plane she ain't?

[@iplayguitar4u]

Cirrus onboard parachute: Proof that "Better to have and not need than to need and not have." makes a lot of sense.

[@RogerAlan]

I’ve done some flight training out of Centennial. I have a huge amount of respect for those Key Lime guys flying single pilot IFR with no autopilot in those old Metroliners. They say Key Lime is one of the best operators if you’re a stick and rudder guy. This pilot is a great example of that.

[@steveperreira5850]

The Keylime guy did a great job, as soon as I heard what kind of aircraft were involved I was sure The Cirrus Caused the accident, as I found out there were parallel runways involved. The guy with the parachute in his plane, that kind of guy is looking for an accident, sad to say.

[@ReflectedMiles]

Totally agreed, Roger. I discovered that to be be the case years ago when Horizon was still flying SW4's in the Northwest. I'm sure it was a junior-oriented crew by that time as they also had Dash-8's and FK28's in their stable by then, but I once had one of the crews take part of their lunch to come look at a glass-cockpit Mooney I was flying, a very new and rare thing at the time and favored by my boss and especially his accountant for shorter trips. The Horizon crew explained how much easier I had it after we had both shot an ILS to minimums at KEUG one morning. Crazy! I just assumed that they had some kind of basic automation in that big of a cigar, but they assured me that the only available system was the guy in the other seat. So running them as single-pilot ops seems over-the-top. They could be quite a handful in some situations with two.

[@RogerAlan]

@@steveperreira5850 This sort of thing can happen to any of us. I nearly had a midair on final up at Greely and after debriefing on the ground with the other pilot it turned out it was just a bad day for both of us. Hard to fault the man just for flying a Cirrus. I’m just glad we’ll get to hear his interview on the AOPA There I Was podcast.

[@SciFly7]

Yep.. these single pilot ops sure do a lot for your handling.

[@billythekid3234]

@@steveperreira5850 That's a Stupid thing to say!

[@porthos9502]

You need to interview that Metro lll guy. A San Antonio sewer pipe does not fly well one one engine let alone with that much drag. Somebody was looking out for him today!.

[@dobiedude7479]

AKA Texas Death Tube.

[@pdquestions7673]

I think the yaw-kick from the collision felt like a sudden loss of power on the rt side... Under those circumstances, if he actually lost the rt engine that might have been too much to be able to recover. Amazing the tail control cables weren't affected ...

[@gunther_hermann]

I'd heard it called the Texas Tampon lol

[@19211926]

It's a Metro ll

[@Codehead3]

@@pdquestions7673 Ya I don’t think he lost an engine

[@johnemerson1363]

Our young solo pilot will make a very good pilot. He keeps his cool and that is vital. BRAVO!

[@kelbat1961]

That kid had more excitement on his first solo than I did during my 20 year airline career. I hope the rest of his flights are as boring as mine were.

[@kelbat1961]

And of course now it's too late for the Metroliner guy to have a boring career. Amazing airmanship!

[@gregoryp2859]

Getting that Metroliner on the ground was one hell of a piece of airmanship.

[@dogrokket]

I flew the SA227 (dog rocket), thank God it made it back on its wheels. I’ll never forget a comment from the class instructor: Even after a crash, it still looks like a Metroliner. That’s a strong airframe right there people.

[@ih302]

I flew as a passenger on them in the mid 90s, most pax hated them due to the small interior but I always liked the way they accelerated and climbed... little did I know how tough they were.

[@unclemaverick3420]

Well. It's a metro II so it's not like it could get any louder inside! 😀 Used to fly them myself...

[@DumbledoreMcCracken]

I was a pax on one in the Marshall Is. Fast on final, it appeared.

[@repentuklondonwatchman1373]

Yep

[@unclemaverick3420]

@@repentuklondonwatchman1373 Love you're callsign. Keep looking up brother!! 🙏

[@majorpayne608]

Looks like the fixed landing gear of the Cirrus tore through the fuselage of the Metroliner. The impact on the metroliner was from right to left behind the wing, which more than likely caused an abrupt yaw to the right making the metroliner pilot think initially that he lost his right engine.

[@cornishcactus]

would his port wing not have torn the tailplane off in that case? he was in a bank at the time so I'd like to get a look at the starboard wing for green paint. The snapped fus could be from the sudden jolt to the right as his wing struck or from the impact as the wheels hit first and the tail dropped.

[@Kromaatikse]

@@cornishcactus There is some damage to the Metroliner's tail which could be from the Cirrus' wing.

[@cornishcactus]

If the Metro was static maybe, but with the meters per second traveled by the time the prop and front wheel had passed through the fus the rest of the metro would be well past meaning the tail section would collect everything from the bulkhead back on the cirrus. Tail damage is more likely to be debris or maybe a glancing blow from the UC

[@Kromaatikse]

@@cornishcactus The Cirrus' wing is approximately level with the main landing gear, as it is on most aircraft - both are positioned near the CG. Since the Cirrus had already turned south of east at the point of collision, that means the left wingtip would pass the Metroliner's tail about simultaneously with the *nose* gear striking the fuselage. Since the Cirrus was also still moving faster than the Metroliner, its own tail would probably be clear of impact assuming no rotation due to the wingtip strike. However, if such rotation did occur, that might account for the condition of the Cirrus rear fuselage due to rotating into contact with the Metroliner's fuselage.

[@trollking202]

160 knots he punched through that fuselage like a bullet

[@warrenpierce5542]

That is a story to tell, about how on the day of your first solo you witnessed a mid-air collision in which everyone walked away.

[@realulli]

"Yeah, right. Stop bullshitting me! Pics or it didn't happen!" - "Here you go..." ...

[@johnbeauvais3159]

The day before my check ride I watched a challenger overrun the runway at my airport, collapsed the gear and a small fore but nobody was seriously injured.

[@dflood6111]

As noted, the pilot who reported the chute was a student first solo pilot. He did post a YT vid about it...

[@Andrew-13579]

And the story continues...”and that was also my last solo. Screw this! I said.” 😆

[@StreuB1]

Props to the Metroliner pilot and to Patel for being cool as a cucumber and on-point with "just the facts" during an emergency he likely will never experience again. Unreal and thank god everyone went home intact!

[@dans4459]

I have a lot of hours in the SA277. That pilot knew he was damaged, he felt the collision, he had crap flying all around the cabin and cockpit. Incredible job! First job is to fly the plane.

[@Scotts865]

Being an once upon a time controller, I think the controllers didn’t control for sequencing. Speeding a guy up for a departure, aiming aircraft at one another in the initial sequence, and not following up with the pilots on traffic calls. They pretty much ran these guys together. Those pilots didn’t have the picture either. I wonder if anyone had TCAS. Nobody died or was injured, miracles happen.

[@BrettMcNary]

Agreed. I think SR22 pilot is partially to blame for overshooting and possibly not knowing which runway to land on, but ATC aimed them all together, not to mention the 172 right in front of SR22.

[@jamesgrant7524]

Either the video is off or the cessna departed and then lined up again for runway 17L not RY17R.

[@oldguydoesstuff120]

I know the VASAviation video ground track is not always sync'd up with the audio. But I was really surprised the controller didn't suggest extending the downwind somewhat to keep the two planes from coming so close to each other. I know in VFR it's up to the pilots to stay apart, but can't the controller provide a bit of help instead of providing a test of the pilots' ability to see and avoid? I certainly don't want to lay any blame here, as I don't know enough to do that.

[@r64g]

@@BrettMcNary That Cirrus was way too fast and not controlling his speed in the pattern. His downwind was ~500ft too high with 140knots groud speed. After his descending and turning base he was doing 160 knots groundspeed when he hit the metroliner. He should have known that he was way too high and fast as he was entering downwind and tried to slow down right away. On a Cirrus it would take over a minute to both descend 500ft *and* to slow down from 140 to about 100.

[@jamesgrant7524]

@@BrettMcNary Not saying this is what happened but either the video track is off the the Cessna lined up on the wrong runway. If the video is not off then the cirrus was following the Cessna thinking the Cessna was lined up for runway 17R. This would explain the overshoot on final. The video does show the Cessna's track dropping over the approach end of Runway 17L not RY17R. It most likely the video is off.

[@earlystrings1]

Unbelieveable. The caps system on the Cirrus almost certainly saved the pilot's life.

[@michaelimbesi2314]

I wouldn’t be too surprised if the NTSB recommends they be installed on some new general aviation aircraft

[@RaoulThomas007]

That pilot got his monies worth today!

[@dennisnbrown]

@@michaelimbesi2314 or maybe they train pilots better and require more flight reviews. Like Gryder says, AQP. Especially the Cirrus pilots. Fantastic aircraft (if a little unforgiving) but a hand full for most if the people flying them. This was completely preventable by slowing the hell down. Cirrus guy way way fast and got over his head causing him to overshoot. I will be interested to hear his side of the story.

[@schmoab]

2 onboard the Cirrus.

[@ska042]

@@dennisnbrown Even the best trained pilot is not immune from a situation where he may need the system. But it's always easy to file any incident involving a Cirrus under "bad training, pilot with more money than sense, blah blah" I guess (the usual stereotypes). Although he did seem way fast - assuming this track display is accurate, showing 160kts on base. Then again, they shouldn't have been vectored in a situation where that made the difference that caused a mid-air.

[@shravypie]

Great breakdown Juan! As I was in the downwind, I saw it all unfold in front of my eyes (still kind of surreal). I was wondering why the cirrus was getting that close to the metro. Then I saw the cirrus try to execute a very evasive attitude and once on the other side (it didn't look like it even hit the metro from my perspective, but got dangerously close within about 6feet). This evasive attitude was most likely cause by the momentum transfer which I, in the air, interpreted as a stall to spin condition (high load factor increases stall speed quite a bit) which is why I thought the cirrus pulled chute. I didn't know it was a mid-air until I was on the ground and holding short of the closed 17L. Awesome video and a lot of people have asked if I still want to continue flying. I very much want to continue my pursuits in aviation and hopefully get picked up to fly for the Air Force. Glad everyone came out unscathed and they do say, a landing you can walk away from is a good one!

[@straybullitt]

I'm not sure if that applies when you come back to earth under a canopy, but nevertheless, a good outcome. Congratulations on your solo! I would have never guessed it listening to you on the radio. You have a excellent first solo story to tell now! Best luck to you! 👍

[@MG-G2G]

Excellent work my friend. Always communicate and continue with your mission. The aviation world is proud of you!

[@LIamaLlama554]

Pin this comment! 😃

[@bigjeff1291]

Good luck Shrav! Study hard!

[@ronpekkala3281]

I must say, the student pilot's instructor did a great job of prepping the trainee for his first solo.

[@rchuyck]

Ed Swearingen would have been proud of how strong his design for the Metroliner is

[@nw6gmp]

the Metroliner pilot was so cool and calm, you would have never known he was involved in a mid-air collision.

[@fbella69]

That's just it - he didn't know :-)

[@megadavis5377]

@@fbella69 , yes, I think you are right; he didn't know. I can't wait to hear his side of things. What an event he'll have to describe...

[@nw6gmp]

@@fbella69 totally agree with you.

[@nw6gmp]

@@megadavis5377 me too. almost want to speculate, he didn't even know it was a collision, just as he said "engine out" event.

[@jeffreyhill8040]

Naw, I just had an engine quit on me, I will go ahead and land normally. No big deal...

[@VASAviation]

Thank you, Juan!

[@pedjailic782]

Great work Victor! Blancolirio viewers certainly appreciate your expediency & efforts, carry on!

[@nikiandre6998]

Thank you, Victor, for promptly made video!

[@TechGorilla1987]

Frankly, I saw this in your feed first. Your are as on the ball as Juan.

[@ginvr]

great job getting this out so quick

[@sgtrpcommand3778]

As others have said, great work as always. Always a pleasure to watch your stuff (although I should use that term carefully in this particular case XD)

[@Doc_Dolan]

PIC Patel has one helluva story for his grand kids! "Way back in the early 20's when I took my very first solo flight ...." Great jobs by both the Metroliner Pilot, and by Patel!!

[@machintelligence]

As they say: "If you eat a toad the first thing in the morning, that is probably the worst thing that will happen to you all day."

[@markjennings2315]

Imagine being the Instructor looking on at his First solo student making his way around the circuit and then all this unravelling. You'd be super proud of his performance. It definately proves the 'Get your downwind checks done early so you can study other traffic on base and finals!!

[@lberry750]

The Metroliner looks like it was literally a millisecond away from losing the vertical and possibly horizontal stabilizers. That would have been a much different result. FlightAware seems to indicate that the Cirrus was based out of Centennial as its past 4 flight originated from there. He knew how the airport was configured. Just overshot the final. Thanks Juan!

[@Kevin_747]

I flew Metroliners 40 years ago. I'm going to get out my manuals and look where those elevator cables run. Glad no tombstones were created from this accident.

[@markthurman3414]

I was thinking the same thing. How did Key Lime have control of rudder and elevator? Amazing that he even landed the aircraft!

[@akomara1]

Amen to that, I think it’s pretty obvious that they run through the belly and up into the empennage. I still don’t see how the tail stayed on.

[@danhansen3109]

You were in good hands with a metroliner!

[@stephenwalton7079]

Cables run low on the fuselage centerline just below the floor.

[@NicolaW72]

Indeed.

[@alejandrotheaviator2826]

Jesus, seeing a mid-air on your first solo? That's like if the first time I drove after getting my driver's license, I saw a 18-car pileup. I applaud his ability to remain calm, and actually be able to help ATC a bit.

[@james94582]

First time out driving.... Did you see this pileup in your rear view after possibly causing it??.. I kid I kid!!!

[@alejandrotheaviator2826]

Uhh... I can neither confirm nor deny this.

[@57Jimmy]

Not to mention that..Solo...was at a critical phase of operation, first solo landing, first solo ATC, and first solo eye in the sky witness news reporter! Buy that guy a 🍺!

[@lamebubblesflysohigh]

Someone jumped under my friends train when he drove it for the first time without a supervision. There was nothing he could do about it, you cant stop a train in 1 second but still, not the greatest way to start a career as train driver.

[@Andrew-13579]

First solo?? Sign him off! LOL excellent job. He’s going to be a good pilot! 👍

[@tomaszstarling]

I'm a paramedic in Castle Pines Colorado that's 8 miles from the accident site, we started staging just in case but amazingly no serious injuries were dispatched so we drove back to our FD

[@HeartlandTuber]

I do not fly, but I find your videos just fascinating for not only the rich content and accurate information, but the fact that you are such a Mensch, and so appreciative of the accomplishments of the pilots involved, and do not hesitate to share your praise.

[@donaldstanfield8862]

Yes, he is so complete and concise in his explanations, makes it clear safety first is the golden rule. Wow, what miracles they were all okay.

[@elizabethg9346]

Looks like the Cirrus strayed across the metroliners flight path. Thankfully everyone walked away! Once the NTSB has finished their investigation I’d love you to interview the metroliner pilot on the Channel!

[@dcrahn]

That is a testament to a well designed and built airframe and a good pilot. Strong longerons in the bottom and strong floor frame work held that thing together.

[@kevinbarry71]

The pilot of the aircraft that managed to land was amazingly calm and controlled

[@gwiyomikim5988]

Yeah. Probably good he didn’t know about the big hole in his plane and how close he came to dying. Amazing.

[@deeanna8448]

No kidding! If you didn't understand English, you'd never even know anything was wrong from his tone.

[@bw162]

Indeed. If he had thought it was any thing other than an engine failure, he may have aborted the landing to find out. No telling how much longer or with full power it would have stayed together.

[@machintelligence]

If you can keep your cool while everyone around you is losing theirs ... probably you don't quite understand the situation.

[@alerey4363]

Yes but I guess a good amount of that calm was due to the fact he only thought of a right engine failure; the psychological impact of knowing your plane has lost 1/4th of the fuselage would certainly mess up with the landing

[@shooter2055]

Key Lime Guy was lucky in that his control cables/lines run along the belly of the machine.

[@cpcattin]

I believe it is universal to airliner engineering.

[@bp-ob8ic]

@@cpcattin Wasn't in the DC-10

[@DAllan-lz3lg]

@@bp-ob8ic or the twin otter 😜

[@cypilotiowan4761]

When the FAA calls the Cirrus pilot, he’d be wise to be sitting next to an aviation attorney. My guess is he had no idea where he was lined up to, nor did he listen to the ATC warning of the metro liner traffic. Gotta listen, and ask if not clear.

[@kevinpayne3804]

ATC told him to turn final at the West edge of the lake. I think he simply got his East and West confused, and crossed the lake to turn final; thinking that was the West edge.

[@mavtrek]

The SR22 was going 160mph over the ground. With that much speed he overshot his turn to the runway.

[@NicolaW72]

@@kevinpayne3804 Indeed - it looks like that.

[@DugrozReports]

@@kevinpayne3804 very possible. Sure looks like he overshot his turn.

[@bldn10]

I'm not a pilot but it seems that the simplest instruction possible was given to the Cirrus pilot: essentially "follow that Cessna." That's all he had to do, don't worry about the reservoir or what's east or west, just make your 180* turn to base just like the Cessna. [Was he going to be too close behind anyway?] It would have been nice if ATC had told Key Lime that additional traffic was going to be headed straight into his path from his right until it makes its [what looks like pretty sharp] turn. In the absence of that info, Key Lime understandably probably had his eyes on the Cessna. That's why he never knew what hit him.

[@gregmiller7123]

Great report as always! Obviously you were reporting from the Blancolirio World Headquarters based on the medallion on the wall. Is the firm big enough to have it's own mission statement framed in the lobby?! Based on that report, "Blammo" might be an appropriate statement!

[@billthetraveler51]

I don’t care about whatever “The News” reports about anything related to aviation. I come here to see what has happened today. Mr Brown you have given us another outstanding video. This is real reporting. 🛩 🛩🛩🛩🛩

[@SFFWillza]

If that Metro pilot was anymore relaxed, he'd have been yawning through the whole thing! What a champ!

[@saratogapilot6100]

Beta blockers my friend. Beta blockers.

[@carljaekle]

I think the pilot had no idea of the damage to his plane.

[@Syclone0044]

ATC: We’re sending emergency services for the midair you were just... Key Lime: Nah don’t worry fam, I’m good. See you in my usual parking space. 🤗😊👋🏼

[@LIamaLlama554]

Think he may have been a former Hornet or Tomcat driver

[@thebodaciousgaucho]

@@Syclone0044 😝😂 Just another day at Key Lime.

[@reggierico]

Say what you will about the flying characteristics of the Metro Liner 'Death Tube', but you have to admit, after this, that it is built like a TANK! Great report Juan and outstanding airmanship to the Metro pilot and great contribution by the first solo Cessna pilot as well.

[@ronbenjamin4351]

Parachute saved that A$$!!! Amazing!! As a 2000 hour pilot I’m speechless!!

[@cdusen]

Wow! I broke into a sweat. I flew a very similar pattern like the Cirrus did at Van Nuys Airport in LA when I was a young man. Thanks to the calm traffic controller I am now an old man. And yes, I lined up on that nice big left runway.

[@j2simpso]

No injuries in a mid air collision is pretty common Juan, it’s the fatalities you have to be worried about! 😅

[@ethanpoole3443]

In fairness, they do frequently survive the midair collisions, it’s often the subsequent collisions (with ground) that soon follow the initial event that results in most of the fatalities. Or as my grandfather always liked to remind me when working at height, the fall seldom hurts, it’s the sudden stop that kills you!

[@r.daniels1165]

4:08. A couple of illegal border crossers commenting on what they witnessed.

[@hamishdavidson3368]

The last few radar returns of the Cirrus shows it was T- Boning the final approach at a Ground speed of 160 knots.

[@blancolirio]

Yes VERY fast!

[@tomheringer2047]

Thanks for pointing that out Hamish. Base to final turn at 160 knots is very fast for that class of aircraft. That excessive speed however, may have been the very factor that kept the Metro's vertical stabilizer and rudder intact.

[@alejandrotheaviator2826]

Geez, that's crazy for a Approach in a small aircraft like a Cirrus. Even the Metroliner was at a speed of around 110-120kts. That kind of leads me to believe that this wasn't just a simple overshoot of the intended runway. This could've been a very unstabilized approach. I haven't taken a look at the SR22 POH, but I don't think you could even get one notch of flaps in, much less full flaps, without overspeeding them. Besides the technical stuff that went wrong, what else could've broken down in the thought process during this approach. Did the pilot mistake the runway, or overshoot? Did he know he was supposed to watch the Metroliner, and not the nearby Cessna? Was the Metroliner ever seen until the split second before colliding? I hope the NTSB presses the Cirrus pilot on these issues.

[@mckennaConfig]

@@alejandrotheaviator2826 I doubt the Cirrus pilot even saw the Metroliner. Low wing aircraft, right turn with attention probably on lining up the runway. They were probably focussed on the runway then BAM flipping end over end. It's amazing that they had their witts enough to pull the CAPS given the altitude.

[@kenjett2434]

Well I am not a pilot so not an expert by any means but watching and listening it seems to me that they was a lot of confusion that lead to this accident. Part of this is on the ATC as I listened the controller was vague about just how much traffic was in that air space and from where it was coming from. The pilot of the Cirrus according to radar was obviously confused as to which runway he was approaching and the Controller never even seemed to notice. From what I heard from the Controller the Cirrus pilot would not have any clue that the Metroliner was anywhere near. He was in a right turn thus banked in a position that the Metro would been in his blind spot. That's just how it seems from a common sense stand point.

[@shoersa]

It makes sense that the Metro pilot though his right engine had failed since his airplane just yawed to the right after being hit by the cirrus aft of the wing which would move his tail to the left. He probably felt lucky to have the engine fail just as he was all lined up with the runway! Little did he know just how lucky he was until he looked at his airplane on the ground!

[@JimWhitaker]

OK, I've just watched VASAviation and straight here for some analysis. Thanks Juan.

[@andrewsc7304]

This is one of the happiest videos about air accidents I have ever watched. Everybody walked way, the student did a great job reporting, and the Cirrus ballistic parachute finally saved someone's life! :)

[@tgmccoy1556]

The Key lime pilot and the solo pilot both did a Sierra Hotel job of cool flying.

[@-DC-]

@@persistentwind Wrong conclusion.

[@747-pilot]

No they did *NOT.* You're WRONG as can be! The Key Lime pilot did an insanely outstanding job that was BEYOND HEROIC.. The idiot in the Cirrus *caused* the crash. Oh, yeah, he did a "great" job of pulling the chute (rollseyes) after being a menace in the skies.

[@JoeUrbanYYC]

@@747-pilot Huh? The solo pilot he's referencing is the student pilot, not the Cirrus.

[@hamletksquid2702]

@@747-pilot - No offence intended, but the Key Lime guy went to work, did his job, then shut down the machine. He was taxiing around, so you have to figure he didn't know what happened even after he was on the ground. That's not particularly heroic.

[@tgmccoy1556]

I referring to the guyon his first solo! NOT the Cirrus driver.

[@Lockbar]

Amazing. The Key Lime should go to an aircraft museum.

[@PapaPilot88]

I think it’s also important to acknowledge that the cirrus was showing 160 ground speed right before the midair collision

[@edwardhewer8530]

That’s the altitude I guess.

[@FlightSimulatorXATC]

@@edwardhewer8530 no. His altitude reads 074. His ground speed shows with no 0, at 16.

[@edwardhewer8530]

@@FlightSimulatorXATC - I am talking about how most aircraft at Denver show relatively higher ground speeds due to the air density they are at. 7000 ft is way up there whereas someone travelling at 120kts at 1000ft amsl is doing 30 kts gs faster at 7000ft.

[@PapaPilot88]

@@edwardhewer8530 the Cessna in the pattern cleared to land before him shows correct and the green lime that he hit shows 110 on final which is correct for his category

[@edwardhewer8530]

@@PapaPilot88 - looking at Cirrus track it appears he did speed up as he made his descending turn to final. Geez 110 is slow for Metroliner.

[@blackmongoose1325]

Rumor has it the Key Lime pilot took the metrojet up the next day. "I'm gonna continue with my week. I should be good.

[@rowerwet]

Par for the course for a freight dog

[@peelreg]

As an ex-pilot (2,700 hours in a Mooney) two main thoughts come to mind. First, that Meteoliner is a well made airplane, with the tail controls under the floor, I assume. Second, the Cirrus pilot swung wide and into the approach of another runway. This is a no-no.

[@malang73]

Good observation.

[@TyphoonVstrom]

I think what saved the lawn dart was the fact he was already established and configured for landing, so didn't need to make any major pitch or trim changes to land. Had to have helped keep the leftovers attached.

[@gendaminoru3195]

plus the fact that it has a trimmable stab so a lot less elevator movement is necessary

[@jeffbangle4710]

I am surprised at how well the Metroliner held up with that much damage - strong airplane!

[@bw162]

The most popular airframe for fire training and rescue because you can beat it to death and burn it repeatedly. And when finished, stand it on its nose and make it a corn silo.

[@bw162]

@John Doe Like the Roadrunner cartoon, you don’t fall until you realize you’ve gone over the cliff.

[@bw162]

@John Doe Not sure it’s anymore sturdy then any other airliner. It’s usually the pilots that give any airplane a bad reputation.

[@gordslater]

After seeing this vid, I think we need to commission a new track from Aram called "Speechless"

[@NicolaW72]

Indeed. :-)

[@AVweb]

Good summary, Juan. Hard to believe the Cirrus was in once piece after doing that much damage.

[@Cranston0]

Carbon fiber

[@lasersailor0080]

Pretty sure those aircraft are one solid piece of carbon fiber made with the VARTUM process. That’s about as strong as it gets

[@christophertstone]

It was actually split in half, just behind the cockpit. Amazing that it held together at all.

[@bobbwest]

Very impressive structural integrity following a mid-air collision.

[@gmctech]

WOW just wow.... it's miraculous that anyone survived this incident let alone everyone involved getting safely down...

[@yhird]

Incredible feat of airmanship to the Metroliner pilot. Much respect to the Metroliner pilot. Thanks Juan.

[@stompinmcallister1312]

Three of the most underrated aviation KZbin channels, bloncolirio , fly wire , Dan gryder. What's is crazy is the key lime pilot would have been killed wile the other plane that obviously struck key lime would have lived.

[@Airplane_Willy]

The “following a precision approach” comment is about the highlight of this video in my opinion. That has to be the standard. If a PIC isn’t instrument rated, then he has to be vectored to the IAF or whatever the safest convergence is and that’s it. This big VFR arc seen today on FlighAware just isn’t going to cut it with an approach separation of 700’. This is, quite honestly, the best case scenario for an accident we can learn from. No one got hurt and we can learn a whole lot from it.

[@golfbravowhiskey8669]

How cool would it be for you JB to reach out to Aspen aviation and talk to that solo pilot in an interview. That would make his day.

[@boeingpilot7002]

Great video, Juan! As always, volumes of research went into it. As an old Metro II driver (1,600 + hours), I can appreciate the workload of a single-pilot in the aircraft (due to being passenger operations, ours were always two pilot flights and they could get busy at times in the terminal area). I'm surprised that the "keel-beam" didn't bend/break due the aerodynamic forces on the tail structure( a keel-beam is a solid bar of metal running from nose to tail, much like the spine of a human being, that gives the aircraft structural strength). Interestingly, at 4:07, the Cirrus looks largely intact in the video as it descends under canopy -- so it could be possible that the tail section broke on touchdown in the field. At the risk of appearing to be a fussbudget, it should be noted that the Key Lime Air Metroliner aircraft is actually a Swearingen or Fairchild SA226TC -- Metro II, not a Metro III, as described in the comments section of the video by the solo student. I'm surprised that the FAA spokesman missed that point; unless he was misquoted. This is indicated by: 1 -- having three-bladed props (Metros III/IV have four blades); 2 -- the main landing-gear doors are visible with the gear extended (on the III/IV, they are retracted upon gear extension); 3 -- the wingspan is much shorter on Metro IIs (on the IIIs, the wings have an outboard extension, ironically without any spars or support structure; just the airfoil extension. This gave it the gliding characteristics of a streamlined anvil. On my initial checkout, the check airman lined up the aircraft on final, but at an altitude of 6,000 ft. Just as the runway disappeared under the nose of the aircraft, he pulled the power levers (throttles) to flight idle, moved the "Speed Levers" to high RPM (flattening the props to low blade angle, which we always did before a normal landing), lowered the gear and flaps -- if he hadn't have added power, we would've landed short of the runway! Originally, Metro IIs came with Garrett 880 shp turboprops and 880 shp propeller gear boxes; ours were upgraded to 1000 shp engines, but the prop-gear boxes were still limited to 880 shp, so essentially they were flat-rated to 880 shp by limiting fuel flow through fuel control unit, which meant that during the summer months, it could still produce 880 hp at higher density altitudes -- and I would be willing to bet that Key Lime's Metros also have been upgraded to 1000 shp engines to fly in Colorado. The Metro II does not require a type-rating since its gross takeoff weight is 12,499 lbs (just below the limit of12,500 lbs) and it Vmo is 248 kias (just below the limit of 250 kias). The Metro III/IV operate above 12,500 lbs, which requires a type-rating crew of two (I believe) to fly them (which might explain the single-pilot airplane operation). Having a first officer in the right seat might have made the difference, due to limited visibility from the left-seat due to small cockpit windows and aircraft structure, which would have blocked his view to the right of the aircraft.

[@maximfdrv]

I flew to the Centennial airport a lot. Very busy place. A lot of air schools, businesses aviation, helicopters etc. Not rare when you be 10th in line for landing with very busy traffic. Not surprised this happened. It is really easy overshoot final on base. While my training happened, i been told by instructor be very careful in parallel landing. This is pure luck that no one get injured. Happened in right time, with right aircrafts. The pilots of both aircraft are very good people, because both experienced a extreme luck. I like videos like that, when no one die. Thank you Juan for your report.

[@BrettMcNary]

great comment. So true

[@jimallen3392]

Both pilots erred. That's why there was an accident. To say they are "very good people" is irrelevant.

[@moejr1974]

@@jimallen3392 the error is on the Cirrus not the metroliner

[@steve2267]

@@jimallen3392 how did the Metroliner pilot err?

[@Pip2andahalf]

@@moejr1974 Why is nobody talking about the fact that the sr22 was going 160 on base? that's double what he should have been flying...

[@CapnT87]

Looks like a Metro 2 - as an aeronautical engineer I’m dumbfounded how it stayed together! Started my career on the SA226 and 227s. Way to go Fairchild/Swearingen!!

[@cosnowboarder777]

Definitely a metro II. Doesn't have the 4 blade props and longer wings. Flew in those a lot when my buddy flew for Superior Aviation.

[@CapnT87]

@@cosnowboarder777 Yep - I remember designing improved lexan covers for the mid-span wing lights on the extended wing Metro 3s as an engineering intern back in 2006/2007.

[@CharlesCornettFL]

Great job getting this out. Couple observations: 1. "Metroliner Jet" -I bet you spotted this one already. 2. I'm retired center (not tower) but this sure looks like a miss on ATC's part. Half the traffic calls were made, in my estimation. 3. I *just* watched a video of the Key Lime Metroliner flying DEN-AIA (labeled 'least used airport in the US'). It was an essential air service leg were it appeared the only passengers were KZbinrs making a video about the unique (subsidized) service. That might end up being an interesting anecdote as the story develops. Love the channel.

[@ReflectedMiles]

Totally agree on ATC. I replied to another controller’s comment here with .65 refs, but I was cringing waiting for the traffic exchange with the Metro that never came. Literally never knew what him, I think.

[@5holeaviation]

Yeah no traffic call for the metro alerting of the cirrus. Also, cirrus only acknowledged traffic, not bit 172 and the metro.

[@rolfkarlstad4015]

Funny -- I just watched that same video last night! My primary thought was, of course... 8k people? Are you SURE there isn't an Uber driver there, like did you check? No Taxis at all? I found that all rather hard to believe.

[@CharlieBrown-j1w]

I’m sitting here in Thailand watching this video, but lived in Denver and learned to fly at Centennial Aspen club in 1996. At the time they told me Centennial is the busiest jet center in the country. WOW amazing video Juan thanks for sharing.

[@ITSFUNZ]

CAPS, BRS, airplane parachute 🪂 They can save your life, in perfect flying conditions or bad weather ! (STUFF) can happen ! One more tool that can help make flying safer. Both pilots focused on the problem at hand and lives were saved ! Thanks again Juan for your contribution to the flying community 👍

[@r64g]

That Cirrus had 160 knots ground speed right after it turned east. Assuming light wind, that's very high for patterns for an aircraft like Cirrus. He should be at about 100 knots when turning base.

[@oldguydoesstuff120]

Good job on the student pilot of 251, particularly in the judgement call of when to STOP following the Cirrus. ;)

[@Airplanefish]

The cirrus tail broke during landing. It was falling like a "leaf" instead of nose down like it was designed to do. Watch the video of where the two people are speaking Spanish during thier recording of the cirrus coming down. The plane is nose high as it goes behind a hill and you can see the parachute deflate (indicating the plane hit the ground) at the same time the nose is high. Also you can see damage at the bottom of the rudder where the metal rudder is bent towards the front of the plane

[@Markle2k]

To me, it looks like the wing center section hit a hummock and the tail broke from being unsupported. That thing was coming down fast under the chute.

[@Airplanefish]

@@Markle2k the tail is strong enough to sit unsupported as it is by design. While sitting on its gear the tail is unsupported

[@Markle2k]

@@Airplanefish Congratulations. You've recognized that an airplane can sit static without falling to pieces under its own weight. That is not what happens here when descending a couple/few hundred feet per minute under the chute. Those surfaces of the empennage become dead weight acting on the end of that lever arm when, all of a sudden 10-15 gs are applied by the sudden stop. Anyways, that's how I saw it.

[@Airplanefish]

@@Markle2k more like 3G impact. I've repaired several SR series aircraft that have hit the ground hard. And more than one that has hit flat without the tail supported. It's strong enough not to snap like this one unless it hits tail first or the tail hit a solid object like the other plane

[@Airplanefish]

@@Markle2k it falls somewhere around 1500 feet per minute. If it was only a couple hundred feet per minute the plane most likely wouldn't get any damage. That's like bouncing on landing. They are stout aircraft nevertheless

[@michaelhill2844]

I want someone to interview that hawk between the runways . . .

[@fredschwarz9502]

6DJ pilot, told by ATC about the Cessna turning "right base" for 17R, responded "traffic in sight". IMO: he was referring to the Cessna. 6DJ pilot told next by ATC about "additional traffic" (the Metroliner"), its location, and "for the parallel", to which he responded, "Traffic in sight". As he had already said the Cessna was in sight, IMO: he was acknowledging the MetroLiner.

[@richardhanck972]

Plot twist: What if Key Lime 970 is a former A-10 Pilot from the Gulf War? "Meh, I've landed worse."

[@Smachfest]

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

[@44R0Ndin]

"Just trim it out"

[@porthos9502]

@@44R0Ndin Trim on a Metro.

[@lisanadinebaker5179]

@Richard Hauck - actually that would explain everything from his cool attitude to his thinking to clear the runway after landing. You probably nailed it.

[@austinado16]

Best comment on KZbin in a loooooooong time. Thank you for the huge laugh!

[@bcgrittner8076]

Love the shirt. I’m glad somebody could find some humor in this incident.

[@billythekid3234]

Yeal, He's gotta frame that shirt!

[@OnTourWithPattiSmith]

As usual ... well done. .. local news channels were so anxious to get on air with the story they failed to do the excellent research and culling of information we get to see here at Blancolirio ... well done JB.

[@mckennaConfig]

I mean, News Media never accurately reports anything.

[@tomcorwine3091]

Even if they weren’t anxious, they would still fail to do any research.

[@dalgrim]

The Cirrus fuselage break was probably from the CAPS pull. It blows a hole in the top of the fuselage and the lines run almost exactly where that crack in the image was. It’s still early but I’d guess he hit the Metroliner high and removed a majority of his gear and his left wing contacted the vertical tail. This probably produced a significant bang and immediate left yawing moment prompting him to pull the chute. Seeing as his gear was substantially damaged (you can’t even see gear hanging down in the clip of the cirrus under chute) it wasn’t there to absorb the ground impact causing the fuselage to take the majority of that.

[@GreatMichiganBushCo]

Keep up the good work Jaun! I so enjoy how you don’t make thing s over dramatic. You state the facts like an airline standards debrief. So useful for the public and pilots. You teach people not to be afraid and what lessons can be learned. I really appreciate your promotion of aviation even when reporting a downside. Let’s see more of the Mighty Luscome!

[@Markle2k]

You can see in the footage of the Cirrus under chute that the fuselage is pretty intact (lines are straight where they are supposed to be straight). It looks like it broke its back on impact as the wing came to rest on top of a hummock in the terrain.

[@guidospaini7339]

Yeah, maybe. But paraphrasing Juan last video: "...once you pull that parachute out, the plane belongs to insurance company".

[@Markle2k]

@@guidospaini7339 Isn't that "once you have determined that you won't be landing at an airport..."?

[@poiu477]

Thanks Victor for always having the data for Juan to go through with all of us.

[@poiu477]

and obviously thank you Juan

[@franklopez4495]

Juan, your detailed explanation of these aviation incidents are by far the best in KZbin, you being a fantastic perspective of aviation. Thank you !!

[@303Fro]

I'm a retired ATCS, you NEVER assume the pilot sees the traffic. I would think the tower has a BRITE radar scope to assist the controller. It would have been very easy to have the Cirrus continue downwind and report the Merlin in sight to follow or call his base turn to follow the Merlin, I did it a zillion times. Hence the word, "controller".

[@andinorth1507]

This video speaker assumes an inherent flaw in the non airline vfr procedure, but this is not a non towered airport. Many times a non towered airport can be safer because you are not dependent upon a controller. You have to be much more alert and aware of traffic spacing. In this case it wasn’t apparent the controller directed the cirrus pilot to follow behind the Cessna even if it was parallel runways. Anyway too easy to armchair quarterback. Hope we all learn from this accident. It’s also a good thing the cirrus parachute was able to work and be effective at such a low altitude.

[@255-southcarolina8]

Was very confused of what happened I'm glad you straightened it out now I understand a lot better

[@sharkamov]

Something tells me that your early video summary of this unfortunate incident at Centennial won't go totally unnoticed by the NTSB team . . . Good job Juan!

[@rickrudd]

Holy cow! This seems like a one in a million happy ending! Just amazing.

[@bobshaw4063]

WOW ! how awful . So glad to hear no one was injured. Juan Thank You for the great reporting as usual fellow Air Force Veteran .

[@steffenbjoern]

Great work from your side once more! Very interesting ATC procedures to have both aircraft on joining courses and identical altitudes without giving any traffic advice to the Swearingen crew. My ATC-coach would have killed me behind the microphone if I ever allowed such a close call to happen! They should really check their procedures of separated ATC responsibilities during parallel runway operation with less than 1 mile separation!

[@chetmyers7041]

Hope some ATC procedures are modified. Would be a great service for ATC to give a transient pilot vectors to the final approach. What was the workload on these controllers? One dedicated to each runway. My mantra is "vector please." On a student pilot cross-country flight I flew into busy Raleigh, NC and they told me to expect r/w X, and soon after switched me to Y. I had no shame saying, "Vectors please," and controller helped me out.

[@barbaracarter8384]

Never fly faster then your Angel's can fly. This was an amazing miracle for sure. Thank you Lord for saving lives. My husband and I both watched this together. We knew you had the "scoop".

[@JordanHourGlassDJ]

I've been eagerly awaiting this video all evening! Stay safe & stay healthy everyone 🇺🇸🍻😎

[@akizeta]

Kudos to the designer of the Metroliner, who designed an airplane that could carry on flying with half its back missing!

[@dennisfox6343]

Your photography, video and editing skills are exquisite! You are not only known for your inciteful explanations, but your fantastic overall presentations truly get the points across. Kudos to you & enjoy your return to flight status. (This is gonna be a great 2nd Career for you too!)

[@blairhenderson5005]

This was on the national evening news, but we get our real aviation news right here.

[@sharontorgerson2556]

YES!....to everything Dennis said.

[@erikdavis2402]

Looking at the radar data provided in this video, the Cirrus was screaming on base at 160 knots. The Keylime was doing 110 +/- while the Cessna on final was doing 80ish over the ground. I’m a CFI who has flown a lot of patterns at KAPA. 17L and 17R are on two different freqs. 118.9 for 17L which is the main tower frequency and 123.7 for 17R. I believe the pilot in the Cirrus clearly knew 17R was the runway, but ran out of room and time to turn to line up with 17R due to excess speed. A good landing begins with a good pattern and a good pattern begins with good procedures. The cirrus should have been at takeoff flaps and flying at 90-100 knots upon entering the traffic pattern. The radar data clearly shows he was doing 140 across the ground on downwind and 160 gs on base, waaaay too fast for a light aircraft in the pattern. Thank goodness that no body was hurt. Airplanes can be fixed or replaced, people cannot. The aftermath photos show the Cirrus’ wings flaps up.

[@paulyoung181]

Sometimes, not knowing how bad things are is a good thing.

[@ediseverywhere]

Thanks for the assistance, Pete's friend down the street!

[@keithdrewv1161]

WOW!!! A while ago I watched a documentary about Keylime Air, their pilots and the metro metroliner cargo aircraft, it was very interesting! The company flys cargo with solo pilots all over! Great airmanship getting that metroliner on the ground safely!

[@danieljulian4676]

Metroliner now configured for tall cargo. But no more low overhead for their operations.

[@ecclestonsangel]

I'm just sitting here with my jaw in pieces on the ground. This is so incredibly shocking, made even more so because everybody WALKED AWAY!? I mean, how incredible is that?!

[@carlwilliams6977]

Even more incredible, is that the only fatality was your jaw, and it wasn't on either plane!😀

[@ecclestonsangel]

@@carlwilliams6977 lol! Thanks for making me laugh! 🤣🤣

[@speedomars]

The Cirrus pulled the chute. But the Cirrus is at fault....

[@GregsWorkshopOregon]

Centennial is served by South Metro Fire, they have an active KZbin channel. I would imagine this incident will show up on their weekly PIO VLOG if you want to see it from their perspective.

[@kevinmadore1794]

Excellent summary, Juan! I've been in aviation for 40 years and until today, I've never heard much positive about the Fairchild Metroliner. Most pilots don't like it. That said, I have to admit that the toughness of this machine clearly saved the life of the Key Lime pilot. I would love to interview that guy and find out when the "aha" moment occurred and he truly understood the magnitude of the damage to his airplane. I suspect that the transmission from another aircraft on the frequency about the "definite mid-air" was probably his first indication that he'd been hit by another airplane. And thank God for CAPs. Other manufacturers of single-engine aircraft should seriously be looking at incorporating it into both new and existing designs.

[@geneharrel773]

"Pete's friend down the street", I love it!

[@GaryWGrant]

…community effort to keep Juan “on the air.”

[@MrPig40]

How in the HELL is that metro liner sitting on 3 wheels. Absolutely amazing!!!

[@rob3910]

I love the additional drawing from the CFI, I did things like that!

[@Turbojets_Channel]

When you pause around 10:30, notice the ground speed. DJ is doing 160, SP is at 80 and 970 is at 110. Why DJ needed this speed on base is unknown but certainly increases the turn radius possibly contributing to overshoot.

[@adventure002006]

Great job at putting together this well detailed recreation of this accident so quickly. Amazed the plane was landed while nearly sheared in half. Good thing the pilot did not realize until after landing or you could imagine the added stress.