Introduction
On an unspecified date, a formation of nine Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar aircraft departed Dreux, Eure-et-Loir, on a flight to Stuttgart-Echterdingen Airport in southwest Germany under the flight code 'Chalk'. The formation included aircraft 53-3222 (Chalk 8) and 53-7841 (Chalk 9).
Accident Sequence
En route, the pilot of C-119 53-3222 reported to the formation leader that he had lost his left engine and elected to land as soon as possible. While attempting to leave the formation, 53-3222 made a left turn. During this maneuver, the top of its empennage struck the base of the cockpit of C-119 53-7841. Both aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground, and crashed in a wooded area and a field near Edelweiler. Both aircraft disintegrated on impact, and all 66 crew members on both aircraft were killed.
Investigation Findings
Investigators determined that the collision was caused by the wrong position of aircraft 53-7841, as its crew failed to respect the assigned altitude in the formation. Evidence showed that just prior to the accident, aircraft 53-7841 had overrun its element leader. Aircraft 53-3222 had been instructed to leave the formation after losing its left engine and was descending and turning left according to normal procedures when the collision occurred.
Additionally, investigators found evidence of supervisory error: the pilot responsible for the accident had not had proper crew rest, and his copilot had extremely low experience.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was the failure of the left engine in flight. However, the primary cause of the accident was determined to be pilot error. The board concluded that if the left wingman (aircraft 53-7841) had held his proper position instead of dropping down and out, the accident would not have occurred. The board also felt that the accident would not have happened if the engine malfunction had not occurred, causing the right wingman to break formation.