Narrative:A USAF Convair T-29D (52-5826) was returning from Meridian when it approached Langley AFB at night. At the same time a Cavalier Flyers Cessna 150H light aircraft, N50430, was in the area. Both aircraft were on a collision course but due to the reduced nighttime conspicuity of Cessna against a background of city lights, the USAF crew did not see the plane. Both aircraft collided at 1500 feet and crashed.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The human limitation inherent in the see-and-avoid concept, which can be critical in a terminal area with a combination of controlled and uncontrolled traffic. A possible contributing factor was the reduced nighttime conspicuity of the Cessna against a background of city lights."
Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: | NTSB |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 160 days (5 months) | Accident number: | NTSB-AAR-75-10 | Download report: | Final report
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Classification:
Mid air collision
Loss of control
Sources:
» NTSB
Follow-up / safety actions
NTSB issued 4 Safety Recommendations
Issued: 26-MAR-1975 | To: | A-75-35 |
ESTABLISH A GROUP II TRAFFIC CONTROL AREA TO ENCOMPASS THE FOLLOWING AIRPORTS IN THE TIDEWATER AREA OCEANA NAVAL AIR STATION, NORFOLK NAVAL AIR STATION, NORFOLK REGIONAL AIRPORT, LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, PATRICK HENRY AIRPORT, AND FELKER ARMY AIRFIELD. SHOULD THIS PROVE IMPRACTICAL, WE RECOMMEND THAT THE FAA AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) JOINT REVIEW GROUP COORDINATE AND ESTABLISH A TERMINAL RADAR SERVICE AREA (TRSA), SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN SACRAMENTO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, WHICH WILL ENCOMPASS THE TIDEWATER AREA. (Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action) |
Issued: 26-MAR-1975 | To: | A-75-36 |
EXTEND THE APPROACH GATES TO RUNWAYS 7-25 AT LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE TO A DISTANCE OF 12 NMI. (Closed - Acceptable Action) |
Issued: 26-MAR-1975 | To: | A-75-37 |
DETERMINE WHICH OTHER MILITARY BASES OR AREAS REQUIRE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF EITHER A TERMINAL CONTROL AREA OR TERMINAL RADAR SERVICE AREA AND ESTABLISH THEM. (Closed - Acceptable Action) |
Issued: 26-MAR-1975 | To: | A-75-38 |
INITATE ACTION TO ENABLE DOD TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN GROUP I TYPE TERMINAL CONTROL AREAS AROUND SELECTED MILITARY FACILITIES. (Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action) |
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Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Meridian-Key Field, MS to Hampton-Langley AFB, VA as the crow flies is 1240 km (775 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.