NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Talkeetna Mid-air Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board has released the preliminary report on a midair collision at the Talkeetna Airport on May 31st.

The collision, which occurred around 5:20 pm on the 31st, involved a Cessna 172 piloted by Cole Hagge of Eagle River and a Cessna 185 piloted by Antonio Benavides of Anchorage.  The NTSB report describes Hagge as a student pilot who was alone in the smaller plane.  Four passengers on a flightseeing tour were aboard the Cessna 185 along with Benavides.

The two planes collided as they were descending to land at the Talkeetna Airport.  Hagge suffered what the NTSB describes as “serious” injuries and was hospitalized.  No other serious injuries were reported.

According to the NTSB, a preliminary review of recorded radio traffic shows that both planes broadcast position reports while in the traffic pattern.

The investigation is ongoing, and a full report will be released at a future date by the NTSB.  It is not uncommon for full reports to take a year or more to complete.