What happened
During a local training mission conducted at Wildenrath Air Base, a mid-air collision occurred involving two aircraft. While on final approach, a twin-engine aircraft struck an RAF Sabre, registration XB634. The impact caused both aircraft to lose control of their flight paths.
Following the collision, both planes descended into a nearby field adjacent to the airbase. The accident resulted in the total destruction of both aircraft and led to three fatalities among the crew members involved.
Findings
Investigations into the incident determined that the responsibility for the crash was shared between both flight crews. The primary contributing factor was that both crews failed to maintain visual separation and did not follow established approach procedures during their descent.