Cessna 180, N34AG; Piper PA-28-181, N2885D - Westerly, Rhode Island - Plane Crash Sites on Waymarking.com

On November 16, 2003, at 1330 eastern standard time, a Cessna 180 and a Piper PA-28-181 collided in flight over runway 32 at Westerly State Airport (WST) in Westerly, Rhode Island. The Piper, on a personal flight, originated from the Windham Airport (IJD), Windham, Connecticut with a pilot and two passengers. The Cessna, with a certified pilot giving instructions and a certified pilot receiving instruction, was a local instructional flight.

The Piper attempted a landing but was too high on approach, aborted the landing, and circled around to make another approach. He noticed the Cessna on the displaced threshold portion of the runway and thought it would remain there until after he landed. It received minor damage during a hard landing after the collision. The Piper pilot announced all of his positions during the traffic pattern on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF).

The Cessna moved on to the runway and proceeded to take off at the same time the Piper was coming around for a landing. Four witnesses, three on the ground and one flying an airplane in the traffic pattern for runway 25, reported seeing the two planes make contact about 100 feet above the runway. Both planes immediately pitched upward. The Piper then landed hard. The Cessna nosed over, pitched vertically to about 150 feet, spiraled its wings 90-degrees, and descended to the ground in a nose down attitude. Neither the Piper pilot nor the flying witness heard any radio transmissions from the Cessna prior to the accident.

The Piper pilot was flying with his grandparents parents. They were treated and released for minor injuries. The men in the Cessna died after being taken to Westerly Hospital.

Publicly-owned Westerly State Airport (WST) has two asphalt runways - 7/25 at 4,010 feet and 14/32 at 3,960 feet. The scene of the accident has runway end identifier lights and touchdown point markings but no lights. Runway 32 is obstructed by 33 foot trees, 425 feet from the runway, 100 feet to the left of the centerline and 20+ foot trees 200 feet from the runway, 125 feet left of the runway. The terminal building is open daily from 0800 to 1700 and may offer views of the runways from the runway side of the lobby or the fenced and covered area immediately outside the lobby. Partially obstructed views of the runways are possible from the north end of the parking lot.

As of this post (April 2023) the airport has "33 privately owned aircraft-based tenants, including FlightLevel Aviation (FBO), New England Airlines, an 8-passenger commuter airline with service to Block Island State Airport; Simmons Aviation – banner towing, aerial tours, vintage aircraft rides, and flight training – and an FAA managed and supported non-precision Instrument Landing System."

Sources:
PlaneCrashMap.com, N2885D accident description - NTSB Factual Report

Sea Coast Online, Two die in midair plane crash at Westerly State Airport, Associated Press, November 17, 2003

Westerly State Airport

Web Address for Related Web Sites: [Web Link] Date of Crash: 11/16/2003 Aircraft Model: Cessna 180 and Piper PA-28-181 Military or Civilian: Civilian Tail Number: N34AG and N2885D Cause of Crash: NTSB Probable Cause: "The Piper pilot's improper decision to continue a landing on an occupied runway, which resulted in an in-flight collision with the departing Cessna. Factors related to the accident were the departing Cessna pilot's inattentive radio communications, and the obscured visibility of the traffic pattern from the air and ground by trees located at the departure end of the runway."

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