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Captain of a light twin reports a near midair collision with another light twin while attempting to be first to land at an island airport. The reporter was able to establish communication with the tower first and was cleared to land with aircraft Y to follow. This did not sit well with the pilot of aircraft Y.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1082594 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201304 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Small Aircraft Low Wing 2 Eng Retractable Gear |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Approach |
| Route In Use | Direct Visual Approach |
| Flight Plan | VFR |
| Aircraft 2 | |
| Make Model Name | Small Aircraft Low Wing 2 Eng Retractable Gear |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 135 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Approach |
| Route In Use | Visual Approach |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Single Pilot Captain Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Flight Instructor |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150 Flight Crew Total 4400 Flight Crew Type 300 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Conflict NMAC |
| Miss Distance | Horizontal 100 |
Narrative:
While approaching the [island] airport on a VFR night flight in VMC; I passed aircraft Y inbound as well to the same airport; on visual approach. I was in trail of aircraft Y from departure until few miles west of the [island] airport. Within range on the tower I told center I had [island] airport in sight and requested a frequency change. Center; when informed of my decision to change frequency and terminate flight following; agreed and asked me if I was overtaking aircraft Y. I replied yes; and in return told me to change to tower and advise them that I was in front of aircraft Y. I was clear of the other traffic at that time and in front. The other plane had already left center prior and was trying to call the tower. I made my initial call to the tower and I was asked to call 5 miles away from the field. Shortly after the other plane called the tower; successfully this time; and was told to maintain visual with me and to follow me to the field. I noticed that the following aircraft was close to me and while I was on a normal approach course seemed to get even closer. I finally noticed that the plane changed direction to maintain a safe distance. The approach then went well; I landed first and aircraft Y second just as planned. The captain of the other airplane made the decision to remain very close behind me; he told me; due to the fact that he was on a visual approach to the field and judged that he had priority over all other aircraft. He strongly believed that I did cut in front of him and was responsible for his evasive action. We were both on center frequency and changed to tower within minutes. The contributing factors as to why we got so close to each other are the fact that I overtook him while at the same time we were changing frequencies and the interpretation of the rules and regulations.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Captain of a light twin reports a NMAC with another light twin while attempting to be first to land at an island airport. The reporter was able to establish communication with the Tower first and was cleared to land with Aircraft Y to follow. This did not sit well with the pilot of Aircraft Y.
Narrative: While approaching the [Island] airport on a VFR night flight in VMC; I passed Aircraft Y inbound as well to the same airport; on visual approach. I was in trail of Aircraft Y from departure until few miles west of the [Island] airport. Within range on the Tower I told Center I had [Island] airport in sight and requested a frequency change. Center; when informed of my decision to change frequency and terminate flight following; agreed and asked me if I was overtaking Aircraft Y. I replied yes; and in return told me to change to Tower and advise them that I was in front of Aircraft Y. I was clear of the other traffic at that time and in front. The other plane had already left Center prior and was trying to call the Tower. I made my initial call to the Tower and I was asked to call 5 miles away from the field. Shortly after the other plane called the Tower; successfully this time; and was told to maintain visual with me and to follow me to the field. I noticed that the following aircraft was close to me and while I was on a normal approach course seemed to get even closer. I finally noticed that the plane changed direction to maintain a safe distance. The approach then went well; I landed first and Aircraft Y second just as planned. The Captain of the other airplane made the decision to remain very close behind me; he told me; due to the fact that he was on a visual approach to the field and judged that he had priority over all other aircraft. He strongly believed that I did cut in front of him and was responsible for his evasive action. We were both on Center frequency and changed to Tower within minutes. The contributing factors as to why we got so close to each other are the fact that I overtook him while at the same time we were changing frequencies and the interpretation of the rules and regulations.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.