What happened
During runway operations, an incident occurred involving two aircraft on an active runway. As the crew of a Dakota was taxiing onto the runway, a US Air Force Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star, identified by registration 49-0722, initiated its takeoff roll from the same strip. During this sequence, the two aircraft collided.
The impact resulted in the total destruction of both the Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star and the Dakota. The collision led to 13 fatalities among the occupants of the Dakota. The passengers on board included five crew members, two doctors, and six wounded US soldiers who required medical transfer.
Findings
- The collision occurred while one aircraft was taxiing and the other was performing a takeoff maneuver on the same active runway.