Page:CAB Accident Report, 1965 Carmel mid-air collision.pdf/5

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aircraft was brought under control, the passengers were informed by the captain of an impending emergency landing. None of the passengers were informed that a midair collision had occurred.

Several passengers aboard EA 853 stated they felt a definite pullup followed by impact. The passenger estimates of the time interval between the pullup and the impact varied from one to several seconds. None of the passengers were able to establish the time of impact. One passenger aboard EA 853 saw the jet prior to impact. He was attempting to take a picture through a window on the right side of the aircraft when TW 42 appeared approximately 45 degrees to the right of EA 853. He attempted to take a picture of the jet but said he was prevented from doing so when EA 853 pulled up and started a left turn. Following the impact the aircraft entered a tight left spiral, entered the clouds, and then recovered below the clouds. The captain of EA 853 made announcements to the passengers regarding the midair collision. They were briefed on preparation for an emergency landing and a few seconds prior to the landing were told to brace themselves.

1.2 Injuries to Persons

Injuries to persons aboard EA 853 are as follows:

Injuries Crew Passengers Others
Fatal 1 3 0
Non-fatal 4 45 0
None 0 1

1.3 Damage to Aircraft

The impact damage to TW 42 consisted of the complete severance of the outer 25 feet of the left wing at about wing station 700. There was a moderate impact damage area noted on the top of the No. 1 engine cowl and heavy score marks angling inboard along the No. 1 engine nacelle and pylon. There was considerable secondary structural damage caused by heavy impact forces and flying debris.

EA 853 was destroyed by impact and subsequent fire.

1.4 Other damage

Grass on a large area of the hill was burned and several gouge marks caused by impact were evident.

1.5 Crew Information

Captain Thomas H. Carroll of TW 42, age 45, was employed by Trans World Airlines on September 24, 1945, and was promoted to captain on May 28, 1956. He had a total of 18,842 flying hours, 1,867 of which were in Boeing 707 aircraft. He held valid FAA airline transport pilot certificate No. 6511-40, which included a type rating in Boeing 707 aircraft. His last proficiency and line checks in the Boeing 707 aircraft were on September 7, 1965, and October 17, 1965, respectively. His last first-class medical certificate was dated September 22, 1965, with no limitations.