Accident
A training flight involving five Invader aircraft departed George Air Force Base in the early morning. The flight plan included stops at Winslow, Phoenix, Blythe, and return to George. While cruising, a crew member of one Invader made an error by leaving his assigned position, causing his aircraft to strike the top of another Invader, registered as 41-39310. The colliding aircraft went out of control and dove into the ground, crashing in a desert and mountainous area within the Old Dad Mountains, part of the Mojave National Preserve. Both crew members aboard the crashed aircraft, identified as 1st Lt Alexander Aros and A1c Patrick W. Hughes, were killed. The other aircraft involved in the collision was able to land without further incident, though it had one engine inoperative.
Aircraft
The aircraft involved was a Douglas Invader (registration 41-39310) and another Invader of the same type. Details such as engine count and specific variant are not stated in the source.
Aftermath
The damaged aircraft managed to return and land safely. No information is provided on any emergency response or additional damage.