Plymouth

A Piper PA-28, N55354, had departed Plymouth, MI and was climbing from 1,300 feet msl on a course of about 282° with a ground speed of 80 knots. At about the same time, a Piper PA-60, N8060J, was cruising at 2,100 feet msl on a flight from Detroit to Jackson, MI, on a course of about 258° with a ground speed of 165 knots. Subsequently, the 2 aircraft converged and collided at 2,100 feet msl. Both aircraft then plunged to the ground and crashed. Radar data and wreckage exam revealed the PA-60 had converged from the right rear of the PA-28; the PA-28 converged on the PA-60 from its lower, left, forward area. The PA-28 was on an instrument training flight with a rated private pilot and an instructor pilot (cfi) aboard. The investigation did not reveal which seat the cfi was occupying. No flight plan had been filed for either flight, nor was there any indication that either flight crew had obtained ATC/radar assistance. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Shortly after liftoff, while in initial climb, the tail stalled. The airplane lost height and crashed near the runway end. Five occupants were slightly injured while three other, among them the pilot, were seriously wounded. The aircraft was destroyed. It was on its way to the Pelée Island in Ontario.