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A Key Lime Air Swearingen SA-226TC Metro II, registration N280KL performing flight KG-970 from Salida,CO to Denver Centennial,CO (USA) with one crew, was on a visual approach to Centennial's runway 17L cleared for the approach and was descending through 6400 feet about 3nm north of the threshold runway 17L at about 11:24L (16:24Z).

A private Cirrus SR-22, registration N416DJ with two people on board, was also on approach to Denver Centennial descending through 6400 feet about 3nm north of the threshold of runway 17R.

The two aircraft collided, the Cirrus apparently struck across through the fuselage of the Metroliner just above the wings taking out the whole cabin section at that point. The Metro crew declared emergency on tower frequency reporting their right hand engine had failed and reported they saw another aircraft on parachute going down. After landing the crew advised, it had definitely been a mid air collision.

The Cirrus pilot activated their parachute and landed in a field nearby with no injuries. The crew of the Metroliner managed to land the aircraft at Centennial Airport.

The Cirrus with two people on board ended up about 2.7nm north of runway 17L in the area of the Cherry Creek Reservoir. The local Sheriff's Office gave the location of the Cirrus between E. Bellevue Ave and S. Cherry Creek Drive. The Sheriffs Office stated, the other aircraft was carrying cargo only and was flown by a single pilot. There were no injuries.

The NTSB have opened an investigation and are dispatching investigators on site stating: "NTSB is investigating the May 12, 2021, mid-air collision involving a Metroliner & a Cirrus near Denver, Colorado. No injuries reported in connection with the collision. Initial report indicates collision happened as airplanes were landing. The NTSB will travel to the scene."

The photo of the Metroliner from the article

Attached File

Ouch.  Unsure about buff out.  Lucky to get both planes on the ground safely!

Crazy they both made it down safety, even if one was under parachute.  Will be interesting to get more details.

The damage makes it look like a perpendicular hit.  Curios to see the flight paths and how these two came into contact headed for parallel runways.

Edit:  I see in the other thread there was a crossover in paths to get lined up with the runway.

That’s a lot of lifetimes of luck used up.

Hard to believe the rear of that Metroliner remained attached throughout the landing - or even for the last 5,000 ft. descent.

Also in GD

https://www.ar15.com/forums/General/Two-small-airplanes-collided-mid-air-over-Denver/5-2452183/?page=1



What is it with Cirrus drivers? We have a dealership on our field and the level of idiocy in our AO is impressive.

You said it.

Happy to hear about the Cirrus parachute working.

Wasn't there chatter about that on here recently?

They are the new "Doctor Killers".

5000 feet? Denver centennial elevation is around 5850. It was not very high when this happened.

I don’t think I’ve seen luck used up quite that spectacularly. If I were that Key Lime crew I’d hug the family tight and go on vacation. Because it really doesn’t get closer to death.

Holy smokes! The San Antonio Sewer Pipe held together.

That's amazing luck there was no fatalities.

https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=a4eabe,a2cee7&lat=39.593&lon=-104.920&zoom=11.8&showTrace=2021-05-12

https://archive.liveatc.net/kapa/KAPA2-Twr1-May-12-2021-1600Z.mp3  17L

https://archive.liveatc.net/kapa/KAPA2-Twr2-May-12-2021-1600Z.mp3  17R

The guy on the radio for 970 has liquid helium running through his veins.  Are they crewed or single pilot?

Key Lime is single pilot.

Dude is calm as a cucumber even after a mid air. I’m impressed, personally

That dude didnt even change the pace, tone, or inflection in his speech. Wow.

A friend of a friend was the metro pilot, I can't believe he's alive.

The cirrus overshot his approach to the parallel runway and hit the Swearingen that was already on an established final.  

Oops.  


That Swearingen pilot had no idea he was hit by another aircraft.  He is incredibly lucky that plane held together.  And he just taxis on to the parking ramp like its another day... like a boss.  

Cirrus even called the Metro in sight and still managed to hit him.

Runway confusion?

It sounds that way from the VAS video, but you have to wonder if he was reporting the Cessna in front of him in the pattern both times. Since everyone miraculously walked away from this one the NTSB should have some very interesting interviews to report out on.

This is also an interesting video. The poor guy is on his first solo flight and has to see all this!

I took this to mean he was at 6,400 AGL.

"...on approach to Denver Centennial descending through 6400 feet about 3nm north of the threshold of runway 17R."

You think he was around 650 ft. AGL @ 3nm out?

ASL.  At 3 miles, the cirrus should have been at pattern altitude, which is typically 1000' AGL.

Got it.
??

According to FlightTrack, it looks like he was around 6-8 ASL throughout the flight.

And he did a great job. Talk about an interview story...

Think the Cirrus passenger will ever ride w/ that pilot again?

In that lap, he reported both the Cessna and Key Lime in sight. And he was told not to shoot through final due to the Key Lime.

How do you know that's what he was reporting? You can't know that. You are assuming he was reporting the correct aircraft both times.

Time will tell once the NTSB interviews are done, since they all survived.

The only aircraft mentioned being in the vicinity were the Cessna landing 17R, who the Cirrus reported in sight, the Cirrus, and Key Lime.

I have not listened to the audio yet. It is entirely possible the Cirrus thought someone else was Key Lime, but he reported Key Lime in sight. Along with the Cessna he was following.

You need to watch the VAS video. Then you will understand.

Good job by the Key Lime pilot

It's probably just another day at the office if he's flown a sewer pipe for any length of time

Everyone made it safe to the ground, from the looks of the one plane they are very lucky.