Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The failure of both pilots to remain clear of the other while flying in formation.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On July 21, 2019, about 1000 central daylight time a Mooney M20J airplane, N9201A, and a Mooney M20U airplane, N197CV, sustained minor damage when they were involved in an incident near Wittman Regional Airport (OSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Neither pilot nor their passengers were injured. Both airplanes were operated as Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flights.
According to the pilots of both airplanes, they had briefed the mass arrival flight procedures and intended to fly in formation from Dane County Regional Airport - Truax Field (MSN), Madison, Wisconsin, to OSH. The airplanes were a two-ship element with N9201A as the lead and N197CV as the wing. They were to join up with the preceding two-ship element after departing MSN.
After takeoff, the pilots of both airplanes were maneuvering into position to the right of the lead airplane in the preceding element. The pilot of N197CV reported that he encountered wake turbulence that forced him above N9201A. The pilot of N9201A reported that he saw N197CV above and forward of his right wing and slowing. Both pilots immediately maneuvered in attempt to deconflict their airplanes before they rejoined the formation and continued the flight. Neither pilot reported feeling the collision and there were no anomalies with either airplane for the remainder of the flight and subsequent landing. After landing, the pilots discovered the damage to the airplanes. N9201A sustained minor damage to the right outboard wing leading edge and N197CV sustained minor damage to the rudder.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN19IA234