What happened
During a night arrival sequence, a Beechcraft A100 (registration N44UE) was performing an ILS approach to runway 26R, following Continental flight 9687. Following the King Air, Eastern Airline flight 111, operated by a Boeing 727 (registration N8867E), was also cleared for the same approach.
Following its landing, flight 9687 experienced radio malfunctions, which hindered communication between the aircraft and the tower controller. During this period, the crew of the N44UE landed and transitioned toward the right side of the runway near taxiway Delta. This specific turnoff is located approximately 3,800 feet from the approach end of the runway.
Before the Beechcraft A100 had fully vacated the runway, the Boeing 727 landed and converged with the smaller aircraft. The crew of the Boeing 727 did not identify the presence of the King Air until shortly before the impact. In an attempt to prevent a collision, the captain of the Boeing 727 maneuvered the aircraft, but the right wing of the Boeing 727 struck the King Air. The impact caused significant structural damage, shearing the cockpit and the upper portion of the fuselage. The accident resulted in one fatality and one serious injury among the King Air crew.
Findings
Investigation into the event highlighted several contributing factors. The local controller failed to provide a traffic advisory to the crew of flight 111 when issuing their landing clearance. Additionally, certain strobe and beacon lights on the N44UE were not functioning, although these lights may have been turned off during the IMC approach. The primary factor in the collision was the lack of a traffic advisory to the following aircraft.