Incident Overview
On a scheduled flight from London to Naples, a Viscount was operating along Airway Amber 1. At 1144 hours, the crew reported over Ostia at an altitude of 23,500 feet, advising their intention to continue toward Ponza with an estimated arrival at 1157. At approximately 1150 hours, east of Nettuno, the Viscount collided with an Italian Air Force F-86 Sabre.
The F-86 Sabre was participating in group training involving aerobatic maneuvers. The collision resulted in the destruction of both aircraft. The Viscount carried 26 passengers and 5 crew members, all of whom were killed. The pilot of the F-86 safely ejected and parachuted to the ground.
Official Findings
The investigation concluded that the probable cause of the accident was 'an Act of God', as neither pilot sighted the other aircraft prior to the collision. A contributory cause was identified: the Viscount had deviated from its assigned airway, entering a prohibited area reserved for military activities. A majority of the board (seven members) assumed that this deviation resulted from a navigational error by the Viscount's crew.