Incident Overview
During a night arrival, a Beechcraft A100 King Air (registration N44UE) was cleared for an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to runway 26R, following Continental flight 9687. Subsequently, Eastern Airline flight 111, a Boeing 727 (registration N8867E), was cleared for the same approach behind the King Air.
Sequence of Events
After landing, Continental flight 9687 experienced a radio problem, making communication difficult for the tower controller. The King Air landed and its crew moved the aircraft to the right side of the runway near taxiway Delta, which is the primary taxiway for general aviation aircraft. The turnoff for taxiway Delta is approximately 3,800 feet from the approach end of runway 26R. Before the King Air was clear of the runway, Eastern Airline flight 111 landed and converged on the King Air. The crew of the Boeing did not see the King Air until moments before the collision. The captain attempted to avoid a collision, but the Boeing's right wing struck the King Air, shearing the top of its fuselage and cockpit.
Some of the King Air's strobe and beacon lights were inoperative, though they would most likely have been extinguished for the instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) approach. The local controller did not issue a traffic advisory to Eastern Airline flight 111 with the landing clearance. One pilot on board the King Air was killed, and the second pilot was seriously injured.
Investigation Findings
The probable cause, as stated in official findings, includes the failure of the Federal Aviation Administration to provide air traffic control procedures that adequately consider human performance factors, which contributed to the north local controller's failure to detect the developing conflict between the two aircraft. Additionally, the north local controller failed to ensure separation of arriving aircraft using the same runway. Contributing factors include the north local controller's failure to issue appropriate traffic information to Eastern Airline flight 111, as well as the north final controller and radar monitor controller's failure to issue timely speed reductions to maintain adequate separation between aircraft on final approach.