FAA History Lesson -- July 19, 1967

From the FAA Historical Chronology, 1926-1996

”Jul 19, 1967: A midair collision near Hendersonville, N.C., between a Piedmont Airlines Boeing 727 and a Cessna 310 killed all 82 people aboard the two aircraft. The fatalities included Secretary-designate of the Navy John T. McNaughton. The National Transportation Safety Board listed the probable cause as the Cessna's deviation from its Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) clearance. The Board could not specifically identify the reason for the Cessna’s deviation; however, it cited the "minimum control procedures” used by FAA in handling the Cessna as a contributory factor in the accident. The Board’s recommendations included improvements to the air traffic control system and more stringent requirements for IFR pilots, including an annual proficiency flight check. “

This is the way it happens. You don't expect it. You're just cruising along on autopilot and fate reaches out to remind you just how serious a business you're in. Pay attention. It's the price of your profession. You must be ever vigilant against an event like this.

I don't like to think about these things anymore. You must. It is your duty.

Don't become the generation that gets reminded as to why our industry puts so much effort into making sure another one never happens again.

Don Brown
July 19, 2012