Good Grief. A 172 pilot should be able to spot another aircraft unless it directly above him and at any rate should have called position even at an uncontrolled field.
Long ago an FAR stated that the Pilot in Command is responsible for and the final authority as to the safety of the passengers and aircraft. Can’t blame the President, tower, FAA, etc. except the one(s) behind the yoke.
Well, notice that in this case you’ve got a high wing (the 172) and a low wing (the Lancair). That’s by far the most common combination when a mid-air occurs. Highly likely the Lancair was above the 172, since the high wing of the 172 restricts visibility upward, and the low wing of the Lancair restricts visibility downward.
checking own comment, they did not mention weather, visability. P.I.C. is still responsible either way.
A Lanceair is extremely small and speedy. It’s a low wing. Probably the Lanceair was higher and hit the high wing Cessna from behind and above.
Classic high wing/low wing crash.
Exactly!
...indeed....! I have a lot of flying hours in 172s and have loved every minute...great aircraft...again, the high-wing and low-wing situation....not knowing any of the details, may have been the low-wing A/C descending on the high-wing 172....again, speculation only on my part...but it has happened before....one is available for view on YouTube.....