Near-Collision On Final Caught On Video

A routine POV video of a landing captured something a lot different as two 172s almost traded paint at Powell River, B.C.

Russ Niles

Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 12:02 PM ET

Verified

Edited By: Omar Filipović

Key Takeaways:

A pilot on short final at Powell River Airport narrowly avoided a mid-air collision with another Cessna 172 that descended directly in front of them.
The incident required the first pilot to execute a go-around, which was recorded by their passenger.
The second aircraft was identified as a student pilot on a solo flight who reportedly failed to follow standard procedures or tune into the mandatory frequency for the uncontrolled airport.
Local authorities confirmed the near-miss, stating that fortunately, no injuries or damage occurred.

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A pilot in Powell River, British Columbia, encountered the very definition of a close call a couple of weeks ago while on short final for the airport there. As he approached the threshold in his Cessna 172, another 172 descended in front of him, missing a collision by not very many feet. The pilot hit the gas and overflew the other Cessna as his passenger recorded it all. They went around and landed and discovered the other pilot was still on the ground.

The go-around pilot said in social media posts he spoke with the other young man and learned he was a student on a solo who did not follow any standard procedures for the uncontrolled airport and was not tuned to the mandatory frequency at Powell River, which is on the coast of B.C. about 100 miles northwest of Vancouver. It’s a popular destination for the many flight schools in the area. “The City of Powell River can confirm that there was a near miss involving two aircraft in the vicinity of Powell River Airport (YPW),” stated manager of city property, partnerships and public relations Callie Cuthbertson in a written release to the Powell River Peak. “Fortunately, no injuries or damage occurred as a result of this incident.”