1965-06-08: Casa 352 (T.2B-230) — Spanish Air Force - Ejército del Aire — Murcia-Alcantarilla AFB, Spain

11 fatalitiesMurcia-Alcantarilla AFB, SpainFlight

Two military transport aircraft collided during a formation training mission near an airbase in Spain, resulting in multiple fatalities.

What happened

During a local training exercise conducted near the Murcia-Alcantarilla airbase, two Casa 352 aircraft were flying in a nine-plane formation. The first aircraft was transporting two pilots and nine paratroopers when it collided with another aircraft, registered T.2B-229, which was also carrying two pilots and nine paratroopers.

Following the impact, both planes lost control and entered a rapid descent toward the ground. As the second aircraft, T.2B-229, fell, eight of the paratroopers on board managed to successfully bail out of the plane. However, the aircraft subsequently crashed into a field. The collision resulted in 14 fatalities and 8 injuries (survivors).

Findings

The exact circumstances surrounding the mid-air impact remain undetermined, as the collision occurred while the aircraft were operating in formation.

Probable cause

The specific cause of the mid-air collision between the two aircraft remains unknown.