3 fatalities

Mid-Air Collision Over Chesapeake Bay Kills Six USAF Airmen (44-35806)

Langley AFB (Hampton), United States of AmericaFlight

On July 28, 1950, a Douglas A-26 Invader (registration 44-35806) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Langley AFB (Hampton), United States of America in flight. 3 people were killed. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

Two U.S. Air Force aircraft, including a Douglas A-26 Invader, collided over Chesapeake Bay during a training flight. Both planes crashed, killing all six crew members.

Incident

On a training flight departing from Langley Air Force Base, a twin-engine aircraft collided with a second U.S. Air Force Douglas A-26 Invader over the Chesapeake Bay. Following the collision, both aircraft entered a dive and crashed into the bay approximately ten miles east of Langley AFB. All six crew members on board both aircraft were killed.

Aircraft

The second aircraft involved was a USAF Douglas A-26 Invader, registration number 44-34111, carrying a crew of three. The first aircraft, also a twin-engine type, was on a local training mission. The specific model of the first aircraft is not identified in the available information.

Crew

The six deceased crew members were identified as Captain Robert MacCombs, First Lieutenant Otis Jones, Master Sergeant Harley Brunner, Technical Sergeant Samuel Sartain, Cadet Thomas Miller, and Cadet John Harker.

Aftermath

Both aircraft were lost in the accident. The wreckage fell into the bay, and recovery operations were initiated. No further details regarding the investigation or cause have been released.