Accident Details
On the night of the accident, a Trans World Airlines Boeing 707 was conducting a takeoff roll on runway 30 at Tel Aviv-Lod Airport. Just before reaching V1 speed, the flight crew observed an Israeli Air Force Boeing KC-97G Stratotanker being towed across the active runway. The pilot-in-command initiated an immediate takeoff, but the left wing of the 707 struck the KC-97. Upon impact, both aircraft caught fire and subsequently exploded.
The three crew members aboard the 707 survived the accident. However, the two technicians who were on board the KC-97 were killed.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that air traffic control had cleared the mechanics of the KC-97 to cross the active runway shortly after allowing the TWA crew to take off from the same runway. The time elapsed between the two clearances was found to be too short, and ATC failed to pay sufficient attention to potential traffic conflicts. Lack of coordination and poor visibility due to the night conditions were considered contributing factors.