Thanks for clearing things up Brad (even though you ruined all the guessing and speculation). Glad no one was seriously injured or worse. Hope to get out there some day.
These are my thoughts on the accident and may not be what the official report will be.
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I have flown in there many times and know the airstrip well.
The 172 taxied full length of the runway to the east,said he made announcement to depart on 122.9
Extra 300 said he made a fly over to scan for traffic (after the accident he told the 172 pilot and the witness on the ground he saw the 172 doing the taxi).
The witness on the ground heard the Extra circle but could not see it.( trees on all quadrants 60-80 ft.)
Witnesses are all at west end looking east and see Extra coming in very low over the trees on approach.
They also see the 172 rolling, they did not have a radio to warn either.
They then hit.
There is a 1,000ft displace threshold on the accident end, low over the trees makes a huge blind spot for the Extra pilot who in my opinion already has a visual disadvantage flying from the back seat, mid-wing and all plus watching the trees on both sides of the 225ft slot he's landing in.
They collided at right about the 1,000ft mark Extra into the back end of the 172
So----- my opinion---
Anyone flying into North Fox Island 6Y3 should be on the radio 122.9 announcing positions ,that they are scanning for traffic and then intentions ,upwind ,crosswind ,down wind, base and final.
Anyone taking off should be on 122.9 and announce taxi, announce roll, then departure direction.
Might be a lot of talking but just in case the two aircraft stepped on one another chances are they wouldn't on every radio call.
Aircraft on the ground here can see no one in the air unless the overhead aircraft is directly overhead. and in a high wing plane ,in front of them.
Again this was in my opinion a "perfect storm" high wing aircraft on the ground ,low wing aircraft in the air above . Plus throw in the tall trees to complicate that even further.
Assumptions pilots make:
They have a birds eye view they can see me.
I didn't see the aircraft so there is not one there .
No one on the radio ,must be it's all clear ( to land or to take off)
I'm not judging either pilot in this, although my opinion again, both could have done better by doing more than what's just required or the normal. This is a challenging airstrip in a beautiful but very different environment than most other airports
6Y3 has been an airport since 1962, all types of aircraft have flown in there from J-3's to a DC-3, groups of aircraft, aircraft with no radios.
This is the first accident there ever in it's 56 years , maybe both pilots could have done a little more to anticipate, announce and see and avoid.
I am extremely grateful that all 5 walked away from this.
The one thing that stands out in my mind is the two FAA guys talking at the scene, " I can't believe there's not blood all over this 172." Those two pilots should have gone out and bought some lottery tickets.
