Incident Overview
On an unspecified date, a four-engine aircraft en route from Kelly Air Force Base to Tinker Air Force Base collided with a United States Air Force Fairchild C-119C-17-FA Flying Boxcar near Bridgeport. The C-119, registered 49-0195, was traveling from Sheppard Air Force Base to Carswell Air Force Base with a crew of three. Both aircraft were cruising at an altitude of 6,000 feet in poor weather conditions at the time of the collision.
Collision and Crash
Following the midair impact, both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field near Bridgeport. All 18 occupants—the crews and any passengers—on board both aircraft were killed. The collision involved the C-119 and a four-engine aircraft; the specific type or registration of the latter is not stated in the source.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that the collision resulted from an error by the C-119's crew. Air traffic control had instructed the C-119 to fly at an altitude of 7,000 feet, but the crew continued their route at the insufficient altitude of 6,000 feet for undetermined reasons. This caused the C-119 to cross the track of the four-engine aircraft, which was flying at the same level. Low visibility due to poor weather conditions was considered a contributing factor.
Aftermath
The accident site near Bridgeport was the location where both aircraft came to rest. No further details on the recovery or subsequent actions are provided in the source.