What happened
On January 12, 1955, a tragic aviation incident unfolded near Boone County Airport in Cincinnati. A Trans World Airlines (TWA) Martin 2-0-2, identified by registration N37648, was in the process of taking off from the airport. Simultaneously, a privately owned Douglas DC-3 had entered the controlled airspace surrounding the airport without receiving the necessary clearance from air traffic control.
The two aircraft collided mid-air. The impact was catastrophic for both planes. There were no survivors among the occupants of either the TWA flight or the private Douglas DC-3. The collision resulted in total loss of both aircraft and all lives on board.
Investigation
The investigation into the accident focused on the sequence of events leading to the collision. Key factors included the TWA Martin 2-0-2 being on takeoff and the private Douglas DC-3 entering the airport's control space without proper clearance. The lack of clearance for the private aircraft was a critical element in the incident.
Findings
The primary contributing factor to the accident was the unauthorized entry of the privately owned Douglas DC-3 into the controlled airspace of Boone County Airport. This violation of air traffic protocols directly led to the mid-air collision with the departing TWA Martin 2-0-2. The investigation confirmed that neither aircraft could have avoided the collision given the circumstances.