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Lukas Swidzinski, piano
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The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Los Angeles, California
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Los Angeles, California
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum
Long Beach Flying Club
Candace A Larned Enterprises LLC
Location: Compton, California
Accident Number: WPR19FA095
Date and Time: March 13, 2019, 18:50 Local
Registration: N5440F (A1); N48962 (A2)
Aircraft: North American T28 (A1); Cessna 152 (A2)
Aircraft Damage: Minor (A1); Destroyed (A2)
Defining Event: Runway incursion veh/AC/person
Injuries: 1 None (A1); 1 Fatal, 1 Serious (A2)
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal (A1); Part 91: General aviation - Instructional (A2)
Analysis
The student pilot and flight instructor in the Cessna were landing at the non-tower-controlled airport when a North American T-28 collided with the Cessna from behind, fatally injuring the student. Radar data indicated that the T-28 overflew the airport before joining the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for the landing runway; about this time, the Cessna was on final approach. The pilot of the T-28 reported that the bright sun and the haze created a glare on the windscreen that obscured his forward vision, making it difficult for him to see directly ahead, and the glare became worse as he descended toward the runway on final approach. The T-28 pilot saw the Cessna ahead of him on the runway just before the collision occurred.
The instructor onboard the Cessna could not recall the details of the flight but reported that his student would have made radio calls on the airport's common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) as they approached the airport for landing. The CTAF was not recorded, and the radio frequency settings of the Cessna could not be determined due to thermal damage. Examination of the T-28 revealed that its radio was not tuned to the airport's CTAF; therefore, the T-28 pilot was neither receiving position reports from other aircraft in the traffic pattern, nor was he broadcasting his position. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the T-28 pilot's failure to see and avoid the Cessna while landing with reduced visibility due to sun glare, and it is likely that his failure to monitor and use the CTAF contributed to the accident.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The failure of the T-28 pilot to see and avoid the Cessna while landing with reduced visibility due to sun glare, which resulted in a collision on the runway. Contributing to the accident was his failure to use the airport's common traffic advisory frequency during the approach and landing.
Findings
Personnel issues (A1) Monitoring communications - Pilot
Environmental issues (A1) Bright light - Contributed to outcome
Personnel issues (A1) Monitoring other aircraft - Pilot
Environmental issues (A1) Glare - Effect on personnel
Personnel issues (A2) Attention - Pilot of other aircraft
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing-landing roll (A1) Runway incursion veh/AC/person (Defining event)
Landing-landing roll (A2) Runway incursion veh/AC/person
On March 13, 2019, about 1850 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152 airplane, N48962, and a North American T-28 Trojan (T-28), N5440F, were involved in an accident near Compton, California. The T28 sustained substantial damage and the airline transport pilot onboard was not injured. The student pilot onboard the Cessna was fatally injured, and the flight instructor sustained serious injuries; the airplane was destroyed. The T-28 was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight; the Cessna was operated as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight.
Review of radar data revealed two discrete secondary beacon code targets that were correlated to the two airplanes as they approached Compton/Woodley Airport (CPM); the Cessna from the south-southwest and the T-28 from the north/east. (See figure 1.) The instructor onboard the Cessna stated that he and the student were simulating a diversion to CPM. He was seriously injured during the accident and could not recall the details of the flight but stated that the student would have made all radio calls over the airport's common radio frequency. Radar indicated that the Cessna entered the airport traffic pattern on the downwind leg at an altitude about 950 ft above ground level (agl), then proceeded to fly the base and final legs of the traffic pattern for runway 25 left (25L).
The T-28 pilot stated that he was returning the airplane to CPM following maintenance. As he approached the area at an altitude about 1,000 ft above ground level (agl), he began to become concerned, because the haze was extreme and the sun was low and bright, obscuring his forward vision. He was initially unable to find CPM but located an open area without buildings and thought that was likely the airport, which he confirmed as he got closer. In an effort to announce his presence at the airport, he overflew the runway from the southeast, crossing midfield then making left descending turns into the left traffic pattern for runway 25.
Radar data indicated that the T-28 approached CPM from the east, overflew the airport about 700 to 750 ft agl, then entered the left downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 25L. (See figure 2.)
The T-28 pilot stated that as he turned from the base to final legs, the bright sun and the haze created a glare on the windscreen that obscured his forward vision, making it difficult for him to see directly ahead. As he descended toward the runway, the glare became worse and he realized he was between runways 25L and 25R. He side-stepped to runway 25L and the airplane touched down on the runway surface. Several seconds later, the pilot saw the Cessna on the runway ahead of him. He applied hard braking and felt the impact with the other plane and resulting explosion immediately thereafter. The T28 continued about 1,000 ft before coming to rest off the right side of runway 25L. (See figure 3.)
Multiple video recordings captured the accident (see figure 4); review of the footage revealed that the Cessna touched down on runway 25L and continued its landing roll. The T-28 crossed the runway threshold about 10 seconds after the Cessna and subsequently touched down about 1850:36. On the landing roll, adjacent to the runway halfway point sign, the T-28 impacted the Cessna.
Pilot Information (A1)
Certificate: Airline transport; Commercial; Flight engineer; Flight instructor; Military
Age: 84,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: December 5, 2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: March 15, 2017
Flight Time: 24000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 400 hours (Total, this make and model), 18000 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Flight instructor Information (A2)
Certificate: Airline transport; Commercial; Flight instructor
Age: 34,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane multi-engine; Airplane single-engine; Instrument airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: August 3, 2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 9542 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1674 hours (Total, this make and model), 9402 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 107 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 55 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Student pilot Information (A2)
Certificate: Student
Age: 40, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 1 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: November 7, 2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 22 hours (Total, all aircraft), 22 hours (Total, this make and model), 1 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 15 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
T-28 Pilot (A-1)
The 84-year-old pilot was issued a third-class special issuance Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman medical certificate with a limitation for glasses for near vision. On his most recent medical exam, his color vision and field of vision were normal, and his uncorrected distant vision was 20/30. At his November 2017 ophthalmology examination, the pilot was diagnosed with age-related cataracts that had both a nuclear and cortical component. He was noted to wear eyeglasses with prism correction, and his uncorrected distant vision was 20/30 in each eye. An ophthalmology exam on October 2019 found a worsening of his cataracts and distant vision.
Review of the pilot’s uncorrected vision results from exams spanning over thirty years for first or second-class medical certification showed some gradual decrement of distant vision with aging, which required him to wear corrective lenses when flying.
The T-28 pilot stated that he used his “Flight Guide” book for determining airport frequencies. Examination of the actual guide found at the airplane revealed that the page for CPM was missing; a paper note in place of the page read, “Pg 34, Aug 2017 Compton a/d removed.”
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information (A1)
Aircraft Make: North American
Registration: N5440F
Model/Series: T28 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1956
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: 138294
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 850 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Wright
ELT: Installed Engine Model/Series: R-1820-86B
Registered Owner: Rated Power: 1475 Horsepower
Operator: Operating Certificate(s)
Held: None
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information (A2)
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N48962
Model/Series: 152 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1977
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 15281075
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: February 20, 2019 100 hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1675 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 68 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 20105 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-235-L2C
Registered Owner:
Rated Power:
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHHR,63 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 01:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 293°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 11 knots / 16 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 270°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 0°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Los Angeles, CA (WHP) (A1); Long Beach, CA (LGB) (A2)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None (A1); None (A2)
Destination: Compton, CA (CPM) (A1); Long Beach, CA (LGB) (A2)
Type of Clearance: None (A1); None (A2)
Departure Time: 18:30 Local (A1); 18:30 Local (A2)
Type of Airspace:
The time of sunset was 1859:24.
The sun’s azimuth at the time of the accident was 267° (see figure 5) and the elevation was slightly above the horizon at 0.50°.
Airport Information
Airport: Compton/Woodley CPM
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 98 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 25L
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3322 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information (A1)
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Minor
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 33.889446,-118.24083
Wreckage and Impact Information (A2)
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: On-ground
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 33.889446,-118.24083
The Cessna came to rest on the north side of runway 25L, about 150 ft west of the left outboard wing. The T-28 was 450 ft further west of the Cessna. The marks on runway revealed no indications of braking by the T-28 before the collision.
Additional Information
FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 90-66B, Non-Towered Airport Flight Operations, recommends that:
All traffic within a 10-mile radius of a non-towered airport or a part-time-towered airport when the control tower is not operating should continuously monitor and communicate, as appropriate, on the designated CTAF until leaving the area or until clear of the movement area. After first monitoring the frequency for other traffic present passing within 10 miles from the airport, self-announcing of your position and intentions should occur between 8 and 10 miles from the airport upon arrival. Departing aircraft should continuously monitor/communicate on the appropriate frequency from startup, during taxi, and until 10 miles from the airport, unless 14 CFR or local procedures require otherwise.
Communications
Neither pilot was in contact with an air traffic control facility, nor were they required to be. CPM's common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) was not recorded.
The Cessna's radio settings could not be determined due to thermal damage. The T-28 was equipped with a Garmin GTR SL40 communications radio, located immediately below a Garmin 327 transponder mounted to the bottom of the panel. When the electrical system was powered on following the accident, the active radio frequency was 125.00 and the standby frequency was 121.50. The CPM CTAF was 123.05. Commonly referred to as "GUARD," 121.5 MHz is reserved for emergency communications for aircraft in distress, as well as the frequency utilized by earlier generation emergency locator transmitters as a means of locating downed aircraft.
When positioned in the pilot's seat in the T-28, investigators noted that the radio frequencies were partially obscured from the pilot’s field of vision. While in a normal flying position, an investigator of similar height of the T-28 pilot could only see the bottom half of the displayed frequencies.
Preventing Similar Accidents
See and Be Seen
Adequate visual lookout while flying in visual meteorological conditions is critical to avoiding other aircraft. While accidents can occur in high-traffic areas (near airports), they can also occur in cruise flight.
All pilots can be vulnerable to distractions in the cockpit, and the presence of technology has introduced challenges to the see-and-avoid concept. Aviation applications on portable electronic devices (PEDs) such as cell phones, tablets, and handheld GPS units, while useful, can lead to more head-down time, limiting a pilot's ability to see other aircraft.
Pilots need to be vigilant and use proper techniques to methodically scan for traffic throughout your flight, not only in high-volume traffic areas. Dividing attention inside and outside the aircraft and minimizing distractions (including nonessential conversations, photography or sightseeing activities, and PED use) that may degrade the ability to maintain awareness of other aircraft are two strategies that can help improve traffic scans. Passengers can help look for traffic and, during instructional flights, one pilot should always be responsible for scanning for traffic.
Aircraft visible to other aircraft can be improved by turning on available lights, including anti-collision lights, and using high-intensity discharge or LED lighting.
Pilots should clearly communicate intentions and use standard phraseology, known distances, and obvious ground references to alert other pilots of their location.
Some conditions make it harder to see other aircraft, such as operating in areas where aircraft could be masked by surrounding terrain or buildings and when sun glare is present. Effective use of on-board traffic advisory systems, when available, can help pilots visually acquire and avoid other aircraft but is not a substitute for an outside visual scan.
See http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-alerts/documents/SA_045.pdf for additional resources.
The NTSB presents this information to prevent recurrence of similar accidents. Note that this should not be considered guidance from the regulator, nor does this supersede existing FAA Regulations (FARs).

Location: Compton, CA
Accident Number: WPR19FA095A
Date & Time: 03/13/2019, 1855 PDT
Registration: N5440F
Aircraft: North American T28
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On March 13, 2019, about 1855 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152 airplane, N48962, and a North American T-28 Trojan, N5440F, collided while landing on runway 25L at the Compton/Woodley Airport, Compton, California. The student onboard the Cessna was fatally injured and the flight instructor sustained serious injuries; the Cessna was destroyed after being consumed by fire. The Airline Transport Pilot onboard the T-28 was not injured; the T-28 sustained minor damage. The T-28 was operated by Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum and the Cessna was operated by the Long Beach Flying Club. Both airplanes were being operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flights. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for either flight. The Cessna departed for a local instructional flight from the Long Beach Airport, Long Beach, California at an unknown time. The T-28 departed for a local personal flight from Whiteman Airport, Los Angeles, California about 1830 with a planned destination of Compton.
There were multiple video recordings that captured the accident. A review of the footage revealed that the Cessna touched down and continued on the landing roll out. The T-28 crossed over the runway threshold bar about 10 seconds after the Cessna and subsequently touched down. On the landing roll, adjacent to the "1/2" sign (indicates half of the runway remains), the T-28 impacted the Cessna resulting in an explosion.
The T-28 pilot stated that as he turned the airplane left from the base leg to final approach in the traffic pattern for runway 25L, he noticed a layer of haze on the horizon. The bright sun and the haze created a glare on the windscreen that obscured his forward vision making it difficult for him to see directly ahead. As he descended toward the runway, the glare became worse and he realized he was in between runway 25L and 25R. He side-stepped to runway 25L and the airplane touched down on the runway surface. Several seconds later, the pilot observed the Cessna on the runway ahead of him. He felt the impact with the other airplane and resulting explosion immediately thereafter. The T-28 continued about 1,000 ft before coming to rest off the right side of 25L (see figure 01).
Utilizing the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sunrise/sunset calculator and solar position calculator, the time of sunset was 1859:24. The sun's azimuth at the time of the accident was 267° (see figure 02) and the elevation was 0.50° (about 90 ft above the horizon).
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: North American
Registration: N5440F
Model/Series: T28 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHHR, 63 ft msl
Observation Time: 0153 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 0°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 11 knots / 16 knots, 270°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Los Angeles, CA (WHP)
Destination: Compton, CA (CPM)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Minor
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 33.889444, -118.240833
Location: Compton, CA
Accident Number: WPR19FA095B
Date & Time: 03/13/2019, 1855 PDT
Registration: N48962
Aircraft: Cessna 152
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional
On March 13, 2019, about 1855 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152 airplane, N48962, and a North American T-28 Trojan, N5440F, collided while landing on runway 25L at the Compton/Woodley Airport, Compton, California. The student onboard the Cessna was fatally injured and the flight instructor sustained serious injuries; the Cessna was destroyed after being consumed by fire. The Airline Transport Pilot onboard the T-28 was not injured; the T-28 sustained minor damage. The T-28 was operated by Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum and the Cessna was operated by the Long Beach Flying Club. Both airplanes were being operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flights. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for either flight. The Cessna departed for a local instructional flight from the Long Beach Airport, Long Beach, California at an unknown time. The T-28 departed for a local personal flight from Whiteman Airport, Los Angeles, California about 1830 with a planned destination of Compton.
There were multiple video recordings that captured the accident. A review of the footage revealed that the Cessna touched down and continued on the landing roll out. The T-28 crossed over the runway threshold bar about 10 seconds after the Cessna and subsequently touched down. On the landing roll, adjacent to the "1/2" sign (indicates half of the runway remains), the T-28 impacted the Cessna resulting in an explosion.
The T-28 pilot stated that as he turned the airplane left from the base leg to final approach in the traffic pattern for runway 25L, he noticed a layer of haze on the horizon. The bright sun and the haze created a glare on the windscreen that obscured his forward vision making it difficult for him to see directly ahead. As he descended toward the runway, the glare became worse and he realized he was in between runway 25L and 25R. He side-stepped to runway 25L and the airplane touched down on the runway surface. Several seconds later, the pilot observed the Cessna on the runway ahead of him. He felt the impact with the other airplane and resulting explosion immediately thereafter. The T-28 continued about 1,000 ft before coming to rest off the right side of 25L (see figure 01).
Utilizing the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sunrise/sunset calculator and solar position calculator, the time of sunset was 1859:24. The sun's azimuth at the time of the accident was 267° (see figure 02) and the elevation was 0.50° (about 90 ft above the horizon).
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N48962
Model/Series: 152 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Long Beach Flying Club
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHHR, 63 ft msl
Observation Time: 0153 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 0°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 11 knots / 16 knots, 270°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Long Beach, CA (LGB)
Destination: Long Beach, CA (LGB)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: On-Ground
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 33.889444, -118.240833
There were multiple video recordings that captured the accident. A review of the footage revealed that the Cessna touched down and continued on the landing roll out. The T-28 crossed over the runway threshold bar about 10 seconds after the Cessna and subsequently touched down. On the landing roll, adjacent to the "1/2" sign (indicates half of the runway remains), the T-28 impacted the Cessna resulting in an explosion.
The T-28 pilot stated that as he turned the airplane left from the base leg to final approach in the traffic pattern for runway 25L, he noticed a layer of haze on the horizon. The bright sun and the haze created a glare on the windscreen that obscured his forward vision making it difficult for him to see directly ahead. As he descended toward the runway, the glare became worse and he realized he was in between runway 25L and 25R. He side-stepped to runway 25L and the airplane touched down on the runway surface. Several seconds later, the pilot observed the Cessna on the runway ahead of him. He felt the impact with the other airplane and resulting explosion immediately thereafter. The T-28 continued about 1,000 ft before coming to rest off the right side of 25L (see figure 01).
Figure 02: Solar Position
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: North American
Registration: N5440F
Model/Series: T28 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHHR, 63 ft msl
Observation Time: 0153 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 0°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 11 knots / 16 knots, 270°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Los Angeles, CA (WHP)
Destination: Compton, CA (CPM)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Minor
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 33.889444, -118.240833
Accident Number: WPR19FA095B
Date & Time: 03/13/2019, 1855 PDT
Registration: N48962
Aircraft: Cessna 152
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional
On March 13, 2019, about 1855 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152 airplane, N48962, and a North American T-28 Trojan, N5440F, collided while landing on runway 25L at the Compton/Woodley Airport, Compton, California. The student onboard the Cessna was fatally injured and the flight instructor sustained serious injuries; the Cessna was destroyed after being consumed by fire. The Airline Transport Pilot onboard the T-28 was not injured; the T-28 sustained minor damage. The T-28 was operated by Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum and the Cessna was operated by the Long Beach Flying Club. Both airplanes were being operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flights. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for either flight. The Cessna departed for a local instructional flight from the Long Beach Airport, Long Beach, California at an unknown time. The T-28 departed for a local personal flight from Whiteman Airport, Los Angeles, California about 1830 with a planned destination of Compton.
There were multiple video recordings that captured the accident. A review of the footage revealed that the Cessna touched down and continued on the landing roll out. The T-28 crossed over the runway threshold bar about 10 seconds after the Cessna and subsequently touched down. On the landing roll, adjacent to the "1/2" sign (indicates half of the runway remains), the T-28 impacted the Cessna resulting in an explosion.
The T-28 pilot stated that as he turned the airplane left from the base leg to final approach in the traffic pattern for runway 25L, he noticed a layer of haze on the horizon. The bright sun and the haze created a glare on the windscreen that obscured his forward vision making it difficult for him to see directly ahead. As he descended toward the runway, the glare became worse and he realized he was in between runway 25L and 25R. He side-stepped to runway 25L and the airplane touched down on the runway surface. Several seconds later, the pilot observed the Cessna on the runway ahead of him. He felt the impact with the other airplane and resulting explosion immediately thereafter. The T-28 continued about 1,000 ft before coming to rest off the right side of 25L (see figure 01).
Utilizing the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sunrise/sunset calculator and solar position calculator, the time of sunset was 1859:24. The sun's azimuth at the time of the accident was 267° (see figure 02) and the elevation was 0.50° (about 90 ft above the horizon).
Figure 02: Solar Position
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N48962
Model/Series: 152 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Long Beach Flying Club
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHHR, 63 ft msl
Observation Time: 0153 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 0°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 11 knots / 16 knots, 270°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Long Beach, CA (LGB)
Destination: Long Beach, CA (LGB)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: On-Ground
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 33.889444, -118.240833
Lukas, a friend, brother, son and mentor.
Lukas has been fascinated with airplanes and had dreams to become a pilot himself. Unfortunately, last Wednesday Lukas and his flight instructor were involved in tragic plane accident and as a result Lukas did not survive. He was enthusiastic with everything he did in his life and he died doing one of the things he loved most.
Lukas’ closest family, his mother Alicja and brother Mario, are making arrangements to come to the US from Europe to lay Lukas to rest. The funds raised here will help with funeral expenses, family’s travel expenses, and to be sure Lukas is taken care of and remembered well by the people he has touched throughout his life.
There were many people that Lukas made an impact on in their lives, whether it was his students or people in the dive community, he was truly an amazing person. Lukas’ passion and talent for music inspired many young minds. Lukas was a kind and generous person who would do anything to help his friends. Lukas loved all animals and considered his cats family members. He had the most adventurous spirit, the biggest heart and the largest smile. From music, to motorcycles, to roller coasters, to scuba diving and flying Lukas lived his life with an enormous amount of enthusiasm. He will be missed by family, friends, students and colleagues.
The crash occurred about 7 p.m. March 13 on Runway 25L on March 13, when a North American T-28B Trojan crashed into a Cessna 152 occupied by a flight instructor and a student pilot.
The fatally injured man was identified today by the coroner's office as 40-year-old Lukas Michael Swidinski of Long Beach.
"The Cessna landed first, trailed by the T28," Ian Gregor of the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. "The North American T-28B Trojan landed and ran into the Cessna 152, which was still on the runway, causing the Cessna 152 to explode. There were two people on the Cessna 152 and one on the North American T-28B Trojan."
The second man in the Cessna 152 was a flight instructor in his 30s. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition, the sheriff's department said.
The pilot of the North American T-28B Trojan was unhurt, according to the sheriff's department.
Personnel from the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board were working to determine what caused the two planes to collide.
The North American T-28B Trojan is a military trainer first used by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy in the 1950s, then was utilized as a counter-insurgency aircraft in the Vietnam War.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash was asked to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Aero Bureau at (562) 421-2701.
https://www.nbclosangeles.com
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department described the surviving victim as a man in his 30s and the student as a man in his 40s. They were in a single-engine Cessna 152, which was struck by a single-engine North American T-28 on the runway around 7 p.m. Wednesday.
The pilot of the T-28 did not sustain any injuries in the incident, the Sheriff's Department said. That aircraft, which bears the U.S. Navy sign, appeared to be mostly intact as it sat at the airfield on Thursday morning.
Officials have yet to identify the three individuals involved.
The Cessna had just landed on the runway when the T-28 touched down and ran into it, causing the Cessna to explode, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
"Like many general aviation airports, Compton does not have a control tower," FAA Public Affairs Manager Ian Gregor said. "Pilots communicate with each other on a common radio frequency."
The T-28 appeared to approach the Cessna from behind before landing on top of it, witnesses told KTLA on Wednesday night.
"It just sounded like the darnedest explosion you would imagine… I saw one of the airplanes involved in the crash dragging parts of the other airplane down the runway," pilot Billy Jackson said.
The Compton Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the blaze, the L.A. County Sheriff's Department said.
The FAA is helping the National Transportation Safety Board investigate the case. The NTSB typically takes at least a year to determine what caused an incident, Gregor noted.
A 2015 crash at the county-owned Compton airport left a pilot dead when a single-engine plane that had been trying to tow an advertising banner crashed and burned on a runway, the Associated Press reported.
Story and video ➤ https://ktla.com
COMPTON, California (KABC) -- One person was killed when two small planes collided in a fiery crash at Compton/Woodley Airport Wednesday night.
The crash was reported just before 7 p.m. It appeared to involve a vintage Vietnam-era T-28 aircraft and a small plane that appears to be a Cessna.
The small plane was destroyed and burned up in the crash. One pilot was apparently ejected from one of the aircraft and killed.
Pieces of the aircraft are littering the runway and the wing landed about 100 yards away from the main fuselage.
Witnesses say it appeared the Cessna had already landed and was taxiing when the other pilot, possibly having trouble with the setting sun, also tried landing on the same runway and crashed into it.
Firefighters and law enforcement officials were on the scene. Paramedics transported another person from the scene in an ambulance.














