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Coordinates: 39°19′50″N 77°32′39″W / 39.33056°N 77.54417°W / 39.33056; -77.54417
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{{short description|1958 aviation accident}}
{{Infobox Aircraft accident
{{Infobox Aircraft accident
|name = Capital Airlines Flight 300
|name = Capital Airlines Flight 300
|image = Capital Airlines Flight 300 (2).jpg
|image = Capital Airlines Flight 300 (2).jpg
|image_size = 230px
|caption = Forward section of the Vickers Viscount
|caption = Forward section of the Vickers Viscount
|date = {{start-date|May 20, 1958}}
|date = {{start-date|May 20, 1958}}
|type = [[Mid-air collision]]
|type = [[Mid-air collision]]
|occurrence_type = Accident
|occurrence_type = Accident
|site = Four miles east-northeast of [[Brunswick, Maryland]]
|site = {{convert|4|mi|nmi km}} east-northeast of [[Brunswick, Maryland]], U.S.
|coords = {{coord|39|18|39.71|N|77|37|7.95|W|region:US-MD_type:event|display=inline,title}}
|coords = {{coord|39|19|50|N|77|32|39|W|region:US-MD_type:event|display=inline,title}}
|total_injuries = 1
|total_injuries = 1
|total_fatalities = 12
|total_fatalities = 12
|total_survivors = 1
|total_survivors = 1
|plane1_image = G-arir.jpg
|plane1_image = Mid-Atlantic Air Museum's Capital Airlines Vickers Viscount.jpg
|plane1_image_upright = 1.25
⚫
|plane1_caption = A Vickers Viscount similar to the one involved in the incident.
|plane1_type = [[ Vickers Viscount]]
|plane1_caption = A Vickers Viscount similar to the one involved in the incident
|plane1_type = [[Vickers Viscount]]
|plane1_name =
|plane1_name =
|plane1_operator = Capital Airlines
|plane1_operator = Capital Airlines
|plane1_tailnum = [https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19580520-1 N7410]
|plane1_tailnum = [https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19580520-1 N7410]
|plane1_origin = [[Chicago]] (exact departure airport unknown)
|plane1_stopover = [[Pittsburgh International Airport]]
|plane1_destination = [[Martin State Airport]]
|plane1_passengers = 7
|plane1_passengers = 7
|plane1_crew = 4
|plane1_crew = 4
|plane1_survivors = 0
|plane1_survivors = 0
|plane2_image = Lockheed NT-33A USAF.jpg
|plane2_image = Lockheed NT-33A USAF.jpg
|plane2_image_upright = 1.25
|plane2_caption = A T-33 Shooting Star similar to the one involved in the incident.
⚫
|plane2_caption = A T-33 Shooting Star similar to the one involved in the incident
|plane2_type = [[Lockheed T-33]]
|plane2_type = [[Lockheed T-33]]
|plane2_name =
|plane2_name =
Line 30: Line 37:
|plane2_survivors = 1
|plane2_survivors = 1
}}
}}
On May 20, 1958 a [[Vickers Viscount]] airliner operating '''Capital Airlines Flight 300''' was involved in a [[mid air collision]] with a USAF [[T-33]] [[Trainer (aircraft)|jet trainer]] on a proficiency flight in the skies above [[Brunswick, Maryland]]. All 11 people on board the Viscount and one of the two crew in the T-33 were killed in the accident.
On May 20, 1958 a [[Vickers Viscount]] airliner operating '''Capital Airlines Flight 300''' was involved in a [[mid-air collision]] with a [[United States Air Force]] [[T-33]] [[Trainer (aircraft)|jet trainer]] on a proficiency flight in the skies above [[Brunswick, Maryland]]. All 11 people on board the Viscount and one of the two crew in the T-33 were killed in the accident.


Flight 300 was the second of four fatal crashes in under two years involving Capital Airlines Viscounts; the others were [[Capital Airlines Flight 67|Flight 67]] (April 1958),<ref name=stpttm>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=99INAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RHYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4935%2C5591 |work=St. Petersburg Times |location=(Florida) |agency=Associated Press |title=AF jet, airliner collide; 12 killed |date=21 May 1958 |page=1}}</ref> [[Capital Airlines Flight 75|Flight 75]] (May 1959), and [[Capital Airlines Flight 20|Flight 20]] (January 1960).
⚫
An investigation of the accident concluded that the [[pilot in command]] of the T-33 failed see and maintain a safe distance from other air traffic.

⚫
An investigation of the accident concluded that the [[pilot in command]] of the T-33 failed to see and maintain a safe distance from other air traffic.


==Accident==
==Accident==
[[Capital Airlines]] Flight 300 was a regular scheduled flight from [[Chicago, Illinois]] to [[Baltimore, Maryland]] with an intermediate stop at [[Pittsburg, Pennsylvania]]. The flight from Chicago was uneventful and at 10:50 local time the airliner departed Pittsburg bound for Baltimore. At 11:25 while cruising at 11,000 feet Washington Air Traffic Control cleared Flight 300 to descend and maintain 7,000 feet. At 11:26 the Viscount crew reported descending through 10,000 feet over Martinsburg and radar contact was made by ATC. 48 seconds later flight 300 reported leaving 9,000 feet with clearance to 5,000 feet. This was the last radio transmission from the Viscount.<ref name=bae>{{cite web |url=http://www.baesel.net/capaccidents/1958.05.20_CapitalAirlines_Viscount&MarylandAirNationalGuard_T33.pdf
[[Capital Airlines (United States)|Capital Airlines]] Flight 300 was a regular scheduled flight from [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]] to [[Baltimore|Baltimore, Maryland]] with an intermediate stop at [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]]. The flight from Chicago was uneventful and at 10:50 local time the airliner departed Pittsburgh bound for Baltimore. At 11:25 while cruising at {{convert|11,000|ft}} Washington Air Traffic Control cleared Flight 300 to descend and maintain {{convert|7,000|ft}}. At 11:26 the Viscount crew reported descending through {{convert|10,000|ft|m}} over Martinsburg and radar contact was made by ATC. 48 seconds later flight 300 reported leaving {{convert|9,000|ft|m}} with clearance to {{convert|5,000|ft}}. This was the last radio transmission from the Viscount.<ref name=bae>{{cite web|url=http://www.baesel.net/capaccidents/1958.05.20_CapitalAirlines_Viscount%26MarylandAirNationalGuard_T33.pdf|title=Aircraft Accident Report|author=|date=January 9, 1959|website=www.baesel.net|publisher=CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120014006/http://www.baesel.net/capaccidents/1958.05.20_CapitalAirlines_Viscount%26MarylandAirNationalGuard_T33.pdf|url-status=dead}} - [https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/33595 URL from archive of official government source]<!--Old URL: http://web.archive.org/web/20200209140031/https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/33595/dot_33595_DS1.pdf --></ref>

|title=Aircraft Accident Report|author=|date=January 9, 1959 |website=www.baesel.net|publisher=CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD|access-date=16 April 2018}}</ref>
⚫
The T-33 jet trainer launched from [[Martin State Airport]] at 11:07 for a VFR familiarization flight; its air speed was significantly higher as it approached the Viscount from the left and behind. The Viscount's indicated air speed was {{convert|235|kn|mph km/h}}, while the T-33's was {{convert|290|kn|mph km/h}} with a closing rate of approximately {{convert|195|kn|mph km/h}}. While slowly climbing through {{convert|8,000|ft}} at 85 percent engine power, the jet banked slightly to the right and impacted the left side of the airliner forward of the wing. The airliner pitched up, its air speed decreasing, then the nose dropped and the aircraft entered a steep spin to the right, slowing to a [[Flat spin (aviation)|flat spin]] before it struck the ground. The T-33 pilot was thrown clear of the flaming jet and parachuted safely to the ground but was badly burned. The jet disintegrated after the collision and the passenger was fatally injured.<ref name=stpttm/><ref name=bae/><ref name=asn>{{cite web |url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19580520-1
⚫
The T-33 jet trainer launched from [[Martin State Airport]] at 11:07 for a VFR familiarization flight. The T-33's air speed was significantly higher as it approached the Viscount from the left and behind. The Viscounts indicated air speed was 235 knots while the T-33's was 290 knots with a closing rate of approximately 195 knots. While slowly climbing through 8,00 feet at 85 percent engine power the jet banked slightly to the right and impacted the left side of the airliner forward of the wing. The airliner pitched up, its air speed decreasing, then the nose dropped and the aircraft entered a steep spin to the right, slowing to a flat spin before it struck the ground. The T-33 pilot was thrown clear of the flaming jet and parachuted safely to the ground but was badly burned. The jet disintegrated after the collision and the passenger was fatally injured.<ref name=bae/><ref name=asn>{{cite web |url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19580520-1
|title=Accident description|author=|date= 2018|website=aviation-safety.net|publisher=Aviation Safety Network (ASN)|access-date=16 April 2018}}</ref><ref name=vic>{{cite web |url=http://www.vickersviscount.net/Index/VickersViscount108History.aspx
|title=Accident description|author=|date= 2018|website=aviation-safety.net|publisher=Aviation Safety Network (ASN)|access-date=16 April 2018}}</ref><ref name=vic>{{cite web |url=http://www.vickersviscount.net/Index/VickersViscount108History.aspx
|title=Viscount c/n 108 |author=Geoff Blampied|date=2018|website=www.vickersviscount.net|publisher=Vickers Viscount Network|access-date=16 April 2018}}</ref>
|title=Viscount c/n 108 |author=Geoff Blampied|date=2018|website=www.vickersviscount.net|publisher=Vickers Viscount Network|access-date=16 April 2018}}</ref>


==Aircraft and crew==
==Aircraft and crew==

=== Vickers aircraft and crew ===
=== Vickers aircraft and crew ===
The four engine Viscount V.745 British medium-range [[turboprop]] [[airliner]], serial number 108, first flew from Hampshire, England on 6 January, 1956. Powered by [[Rolls-Royce Dart|Rolls-Royce Dart RDa3 Mark 506]] engines turning four blade square tipped [[constant-speed propeller|constant-speed propellers]], it was delivered to Capital Airlines on 15 January, 1956 as fleet number 329.<ref name=bae/>
The four engine Viscount V.745 British medium-range [[turboprop]] [[airliner]], serial number 108, first flew from Hampshire, England on 6 January, 1956. Powered by [[Rolls-Royce Dart|Rolls-Royce Dart RDa3 Mark 506]] engines turning four blade square tipped [[constant-speed propeller|constant-speed propellers]], it was delivered to Capital Airlines on 15 January, 1956 as fleet number 329.<ref name=bae/>


The pilot in command of Flight 300 was Captain Kendall Brady, age 38. He had a valid airman certificate and was rated to fly single/multi-engine land aircraft as well as the Douglas DC-3, DC-4 and the Vickers Viscount. Brady's total flying hours were 12,719 with 1,432 of those in the Viscount. He was hired by Capital Airlines on 11 June, 1945.<ref name=bae/>
The pilot in command of Flight 300 was Captain Kendall Brady, age 38. He had a valid airman certificate and was rated to fly single/multi-engine land aircraft, as well as the Douglas DC-3, DC-4, and the Vickers Viscount. Hired by Capital Airlines on 11 June 1945, Brady's total flying hours were 12,719 with 1,432 of those in the Viscount.<ref name=bae/>


Paul Meyer, age 26, served as co-pilot and started flying for Capital Airlines on 25 May, 1956. He was certified to operate single/multi-engine land aircraft and had an instrument rating. Meyer's total flight hours were 2,467, of which 1,596 were in the Viscount.<ref name=bae/>
Paul Meyer, age 26, served as co-pilot and started flying for Capital Airlines on 25 May 1956. He was certified to operate single/multi-engine land aircraft and had an instrument rating. Meyer's total flight hours were 2,467, of which 1,596 were in the Viscount.<ref name=bae/>


=== T-33 aircraft and crew ===
=== T-33 aircraft and crew ===
The two-place Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star subsonic American jet trainer aircraft involved was manufacture serial number 580-9528 and registered 53-5966. It was maintained by the Maryland Air National Guard and equipped with an [[Allison J33|Allison J33-A-35]] turbojet engine.<ref name=bae/>
The two-place Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star subsonic American jet trainer aircraft involved was manufacture serial number 580-9528 and registered 53-5966. It was maintained by the [[Maryland Air National Guard]] and equipped with an [[Allison J33|Allison J33-A-35]] turbojet engine.<ref name=bae/>


The pilot and sole survivor of the accident was Captain Julius McCoy, age 34. He was rated as a military pilot August 4, 1944 and joined the Maryland Air National gaurd in 1952. He had a total of 1,902 hours in single- and multi-engine and single-engine jet aircraft 210 were in the T-33.<ref name=bae/>
The pilot and sole survivor of the accident was Captain Julius McCoy, age 34. He was rated as a military pilot 4 August 1944 and joined the Maryland Air National Guard in 1952. He had a total of 1,902 hours in single- and multi-engine and single-engine jet aircraft 210 were in the T-33.<ref name=bae/>
The other occupant of the aircraft was a member of the ground crew.<ref name=stpttm/>


==Investigation==
==Investigation==
[[File:Capital Airlines Flight 300 (1).jpg|thumb|Tail section of <!--Capital Airlines-->Flight 300]]
The [[Civil Aeronautics Board|Civil Aeronautics Board]] (CAB) investigated the accident and released a report on January 9, 1959. It detrimined that the collision happened during [[visual flight rules|VFR]] conditons and that both aircraft would have been in clear cloud free air nine-tenths of the time. The report noted that it is the overtaking aircrafts responsibility to see and avoid a collision. A contributing factor in the accident was that the small size of the T-33 made it difficult to pick up on radar. The board attributed no blame to the Viscount crew and stated in conclusion that "The Board determines the probable cause of this accident was the failure of the T-33 pilot to exercise a proper and adequate vigilance to see and avoid other traffic."<ref name=bae/>
The [[Civil Aeronautics Board]] (CAB) investigated the accident and released a report on January 9, 1959. It determined that the collision happened during [[visual flight rules|VFR]] conditions, and that both aircraft would have been in clear cloud free air nine-tenths of the time. The report noted that it is the overtaking aircraft's responsibility to see and avoid a collision. A contributing factor in the accident was that the small size of the T-33 made it difficult to pick up on radar.


The board attributed no blame to the Viscount crew and stated in conclusion that "The Board determines the probable cause of this accident was the failure of the T-33 pilot to exercise a proper and adequate vigilance to see and avoid other traffic."<ref name=bae/>{{refn|group=nb|name=1st fed agent|FBI Special Agent Ronald Ralph Lichtinger Sr. was the first federal official on the scene.<br>
Lichtinger was having coffee at a diner in the area, heard the news over the radio and raced to secure the scene.<ref name=cfl>Firsthand account given by Lichtinger's son Carl while instructing aviation classes at Fredrick Community College 1999-2001.<br>
Articles in The News (Frederick, MD) 14 Aug 1961, Mon Page 11 and 04 Oct 1963, Fri Page 1, support Lichtinger being an FBI special agent in the area, at the time.</ref>.}}


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Eastern Air Lines Flight 45]]
*[[Eastern Air Lines Flight 45]]
*[[1958 in aviation]]
*[[List of accidents and incidents on commercial aircraft]]


==Notes==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{Portal|Maryland|Aviation}}
;Footnotes
{{Reflist|group=nb}}
{{-}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|2}}

{{Lockheed P-80 family}}
{{Aviation accidents and incidents in 1958}}
{{Aviation accidents and incidents in the United States in the 1950s}}
[[Category:Accidents and incidents involving United States Air Force aircraft]]
[[Category:Accidents and incidents involving the Vickers Viscount]]
[[Category:Mid-air collisions involving airliners]]
[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in the United States in 1958]]
[[Category:Mid-air collisions]]
[[Category:Mid-air collisions involving military aircraft]]
[[Category:May 1958 events in the United States]]
[[Category:1958 in Maryland]]
[[Category:Brunswick, Maryland]]
[[Category:Transportation in Frederick County, Maryland]]

Latest revision as of 18:48, 14 August 2024

Capital Airlines Flight 300
Forward section of the Vickers Viscount
Accident
DateMay 20, 1958 (1958-05-20)
SummaryMid-air collision
Site4 miles (3.5 nmi; 6.4 km) east-northeast of Brunswick, Maryland, U.S.
39°19′50″N 77°32′39″W / 39.33056°N 77.54417°W / 39.33056; -77.54417
Total fatalities12
Total injuries1
Total survivors1
First aircraft

A Vickers Viscount similar to the one involved in the incident
TypeVickers Viscount
OperatorCapital Airlines
RegistrationN7410
Flight originChicago (exact departure airport unknown)
StopoverPittsburgh International Airport
DestinationMartin State Airport
Passengers7
Crew4
Survivors0
Second aircraft

A T-33 Shooting Star similar to the one involved in the incident
TypeLockheed T-33
OperatorUSAF Maryland Air National Guard
Registration53-5966
Crew2
Survivors1

On May 20, 1958 a Vickers Viscount airliner operating Capital Airlines Flight 300 was involved in a mid-air collision with a United States Air Force T-33 jet trainer on a proficiency flight in the skies above Brunswick, Maryland. All 11 people on board the Viscount and one of the two crew in the T-33 were killed in the accident.

Flight 300 was the second of four fatal crashes in under two years involving Capital Airlines Viscounts; the others were Flight 67 (April 1958),[1] Flight 75 (May 1959), and Flight 20 (January 1960).

An investigation of the accident concluded that the pilot in command of the T-33 failed to see and maintain a safe distance from other air traffic.

Accident

[edit]

Capital Airlines Flight 300 was a regular scheduled flight from Chicago, Illinois to Baltimore, Maryland with an intermediate stop at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The flight from Chicago was uneventful and at 10:50 local time the airliner departed Pittsburgh bound for Baltimore. At 11:25 while cruising at 11,000 feet (3,400 m) Washington Air Traffic Control cleared Flight 300 to descend and maintain 7,000 feet (2,100 m). At 11:26 the Viscount crew reported descending through 10,000 feet (3,000 m) over Martinsburg and radar contact was made by ATC. 48 seconds later flight 300 reported leaving 9,000 feet (2,700 m) with clearance to 5,000 feet (1,500 m). This was the last radio transmission from the Viscount.[2]

The T-33 jet trainer launched from Martin State Airport at 11:07 for a VFR familiarization flight; its air speed was significantly higher as it approached the Viscount from the left and behind. The Viscount's indicated air speed was 235 knots (270 mph; 435 km/h), while the T-33's was 290 knots (330 mph; 540 km/h) with a closing rate of approximately 195 knots (224 mph; 361 km/h). While slowly climbing through 8,000 feet (2,400 m) at 85 percent engine power, the jet banked slightly to the right and impacted the left side of the airliner forward of the wing. The airliner pitched up, its air speed decreasing, then the nose dropped and the aircraft entered a steep spin to the right, slowing to a flat spin before it struck the ground. The T-33 pilot was thrown clear of the flaming jet and parachuted safely to the ground but was badly burned. The jet disintegrated after the collision and the passenger was fatally injured.[1][2][3][4]

Aircraft and crew

[edit]

Vickers aircraft and crew

[edit]

The four engine Viscount V.745 British medium-range turboprop airliner, serial number 108, first flew from Hampshire, England on 6 January, 1956. Powered by Rolls-Royce Dart RDa3 Mark 506 engines turning four blade square tipped constant-speed propellers, it was delivered to Capital Airlines on 15 January, 1956 as fleet number 329.[2]

The pilot in command of Flight 300 was Captain Kendall Brady, age 38. He had a valid airman certificate and was rated to fly single/multi-engine land aircraft, as well as the Douglas DC-3, DC-4, and the Vickers Viscount. Hired by Capital Airlines on 11 June 1945, Brady's total flying hours were 12,719 with 1,432 of those in the Viscount.[2]

Paul Meyer, age 26, served as co-pilot and started flying for Capital Airlines on 25 May 1956. He was certified to operate single/multi-engine land aircraft and had an instrument rating. Meyer's total flight hours were 2,467, of which 1,596 were in the Viscount.[2]

T-33 aircraft and crew

[edit]

The two-place Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star subsonic American jet trainer aircraft involved was manufacture serial number 580-9528 and registered 53-5966. It was maintained by the Maryland Air National Guard and equipped with an Allison J33-A-35 turbojet engine.[2]

The pilot and sole survivor of the accident was Captain Julius McCoy, age 34. He was rated as a military pilot 4 August 1944 and joined the Maryland Air National Guard in 1952. He had a total of 1,902 hours in single- and multi-engine and single-engine jet aircraft 210 were in the T-33.[2]

The other occupant of the aircraft was a member of the ground crew.[1]

Investigation

[edit]
Tail section of Flight 300

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) investigated the accident and released a report on January 9, 1959. It determined that the collision happened during VFR conditions, and that both aircraft would have been in clear cloud free air nine-tenths of the time. The report noted that it is the overtaking aircraft's responsibility to see and avoid a collision. A contributing factor in the accident was that the small size of the T-33 made it difficult to pick up on radar.

The board attributed no blame to the Viscount crew and stated in conclusion that "The Board determines the probable cause of this accident was the failure of the T-33 pilot to exercise a proper and adequate vigilance to see and avoid other traffic."[2][nb 1]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
Footnotes
  1. ^ FBI Special Agent Ronald Ralph Lichtinger Sr. was the first federal official on the scene.
    Lichtinger was having coffee at a diner in the area, heard the news over the radio and raced to secure the scene.[5].

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "AF jet, airliner collide; 12 killed". St. Petersburg Times. (Florida). Associated Press. 21 May 1958. p. 1.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Aircraft Accident Report" (PDF). www.baesel.net. CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD. January 9, 1959. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2018. - URL from archive of official government source
  3. ^ "Accident description". aviation-safety.net. Aviation Safety Network (ASN). 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  4. ^ Geoff Blampied (2018). "Viscount c/n 108". www.vickersviscount.net. Vickers Viscount Network. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  5. ^ Firsthand account given by Lichtinger's son Carl while instructing aviation classes at Fredrick Community College 1999-2001.
    Articles in The News (Frederick, MD) 14 Aug 1961, Mon Page 11 and 04 Oct 1963, Fri Page 1, support Lichtinger being an FBI special agent in the area, at the time.
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