N258ER

On March 29, 1995, at 1445 central standard time, a Cessna 172N, N258ER was substantially damaged, and an unregistered Sprague C.G.S. Hawk Classic ultralight was substantially damaged following a midair collision while both aircraft were on downwind approach to runway 30 at the Paris, Tennessee Airport. Neither the commercial pilot of the Cessna, his passenger, nor the unlicensed pilot of the ultralight were injured in the accident. The Cessna 172N and the ultralight were being operated under the provisions of CFR Part 91 by the pilots of the aircraft. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for either of the local flights. The Cessna departed Paris, Tennessee at 1330, and the ultralight departed Paris, Tennessee at 1420.

The pilot of the Cessna stated that he departed the Paris Airport at 1330 for a photography flight in the local area. Upon his return to the airport, he transmitted his position and intended runway over the local unicom frequency, and entered a downwind for Runway 30. At approximately 90 degrees to Runway 30, on downwind, he felt the collision and then saw the ultralight out the right side of the aircraft. He then turned left, and landed on Runway 20. He stated that his passenger spotted the Ultralight aircraft just seconds prior to the collision, but that he did not see the other aircraft until after the collision. The Cessna 172N sustained substantial damage to the right wing in the collision.

The pilot of the ultralight aircraft stated that he departed Paris at about 1420. He stated that he flew about five miles south of the airport, and then returned. He stated that while on downwind to Runway 30 he felt and heard the collision. He continued the approach and landed in the sod area next to Runway 30. He stated that he did not have a radio in the aircraft.

The pilot of the ultralight failed to respond to requests for the completion of a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2.