2 fatalities

Mid-air collision involving B-26 Invader near El Centro (77172)

El Centro, United States of AmericaFlight

On March 5, 1954, a Douglas A-26 Invader (registration 77172) operated by United States Navy - USN was involved in an aviation accident near El Centro, United States of America in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A mid-air collision between two aircraft during a joint training exercise caused the B-26 Invader to crash. 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

A mid-air collision between a B-26 Invader and a USAF F-86 Sabre resulted in the loss of both crew members during a joint training exercise.

What happened

During a coordinated aerial training maneuver involving multiple aircraft, a B-26 Invader and a United States Air Force North American F-86 Sabre collided while in flight. Following the impact, the B-26 Invader lost stability and entered an uncontrolled descent. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground in the vicinity of El Centro.

Findings

  • The accident occurred during a combined training exercise.
  • The collision between the two aircraft led to the loss of control of the B-26 Invader.
  • There were two fatalities resulting from the crash, involving both members of the flight crew.

Probable cause

A mid-air collision between two aircraft during a joint training exercise caused the B-26 Invader to crash.