N177CD

On November 6, 2011, about 1500 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built RV-6, N62HS, and an Aviat S-2C (Pitts) collided while landing at Virginia Highlands Airport (VJI), Abingdon, Virginia. The RV-6 was substantially damaged and the Pitts sustained minor damage. The certificated private pilot onboard the RV-6 and the certificated airline transport pilot onboard the Pitts were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plans were filed for the local flights. The personal flights were conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed both pilots. They reported that the RV-6 was equipped with a radio and the Pitts was not. Both airplanes were in the airport traffic pattern after completing a local flight, and the pilots were flying a visual approach to runway 24. The pilot of the RV-6 flew a "tighter" traffic pattern and made radio calls. The pilot of the Pitts flew a wider traffic pattern and did not see the RV-6 ahead and below. As the airplanes landed nearly simultaneously on runway 24, the propeller of the Pitts contacted and partially separated the empennage of the RV-6.

The FAA inspector added that the pilots did not report the accident and he learned about it during routine surveillance of the airport. The accident was reported to the NTSB on December 5, 2011.

According to their written reports, the pilot of the RV-6 stated that during landing rollout, the Pitts landed in to the rear of his airplane. The pilot of the Pitts stated that during landing rollout, as his airplane decelerated normally to 10 to 15 mph, he felt a bump, heard the propeller hit something, and shut the engine down.

The recorded weather at VJI, at 1455, included clear skies, visibility 10 miles, and wind from 260 degrees at 4 knots.