The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has published its final report into an incident at Dunkeswell Aerodrome last year which saw a Boeing Stearman land on top of a Cessna 182.
The crash took place on August 20 and involved N68427 – a 1942 Stearman A75N1(PT17) – and G-OMAG, a 1959 Cessna 182B.
The American-built biplane – which was based at the East Devon airfield – was completing a circuit when it landed on top of the Cessna on the runway. The AAIB reported that G-OMAG had joined the pattern from the dead side and positioned ahead of the warbird on final for Runway 22.
Neither pilot saw the other aircraft, nor were they alerted to the presence of the other by radio transmission until late on into the final approach.
The Cessna took off from Bodmin Aerodrome, Cornwall at 1.00pm en route to Dunkeswell Aerodrome to deliver the aircraft to its owner following an annual inspection.
The pilot of the Stearman departed Dunkeswell at 1.05pm for a flight in the local area and left the circuit to the north, while remaining on the aerodrome’s frequency.
According to the AAIB, at around 1.26pm the Cessna changed from Exeter Radar and called Dunkeswell Radio, requesting airfield details. A radio operator informed him that Runway 22 w…