Investigation Summary
The investigation revealed that Lieutenant Wilson and First Officer Reppert of Flight 28 had been classmates and had met the evening before the accident. Although they did not formalize a plan to meet in the air, Wilson intentionally circled March Field twice to time his flight to intercept the airliner. According to the B-34's co-pilot, Sergeant Leicht, Wilson had expressed a desire to fly close to the DC-3 to 'thumb his nose' at his friend. Wilson initially pulled alongside the DC-3 and rocked his wings. When the airliner did not respond, he crossed over and throttled back to allow the slower DC-3 to catch up. During a second attempt to maneuver close to the airliner, Wilson misjudged the distance. As he attempted to pull up and away, the B-34's right propeller struck the DC-3's rudder and vertical fin. The DC-3 became uncontrollable and crashed. Despite the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) finding Wilson's conduct 'reckless and irresponsible,' he was later acquitted of manslaughter charges by a military court-martial.
Final Conclusions
The Civil Aeronautics Board determined the probable cause was the reckless and irresponsible conduct of the B-34 pilot in deliberately maneuvering in dangerous proximity to an airliner. The board dismissed conflicting testimony from a ground witness who claimed the airliner rose into the bomber, noting that the physics of flight did not support such a movement. The investigation highlighted the dangers of unauthorized 'horseplay' and the lack of coordination between military ferry pilots and civilian air traffic control.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
American Airlines 28 — Douglas DC-3 · NC16017
Crew Experience
Captain
Charles Fred Pedley
First Officer
Louis Frederick Reppert, Jr.
Pilot
Lt. William N. Wilson. Hours on type include 9 as first pilot and 9 as co-pilot.
Co-pilot
Staff Sergeant Robert Reed Leicht
Systems & Failure Modes
Wright Cyclone Engines
The DC-3 was powered by two 1,102 hp Wright Cyclone engines with full-feathering propellers.
Tail Assembly
The DC-3's vertical stabilizer and rudder were severed by the B-34's right propeller, rendering the aircraft aerodynamically unstable.
Interesting Facts
- 01The DC-3 lost its rudder and portions of its tail in the collision.
- 02The B-34 pilot, Lt. Wilson, and the DC-3 First Officer, Louis Reppert, were former flight school classmates.
- 03Academy Award-winning composer Ralph Rainger was among the nine passengers killed.
- 04The B-34 involved in the collision (serial 41-38116) was repaired but crashed again on August 5, 1943, into Wolf Hill near Smithfield, Rhode Island, killing all three crew members.
- 05The collision occurred on Civil Green Airway Number 5 at an altitude of approximately 9,000 feet.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Military-Civilian Coordination
The accident prompted increased scrutiny and complaints regarding Ferry Command pilots operating on civilian airwaves without reporting positions to traffic control, leading to calls for stricter adherence to civilian air traffic rules by military pilots.
Prohibition of Unauthorized Maneuvers
The CAB investigation emphasized the extreme danger of 'horseplay' and unauthorized signaling between aircraft, reinforcing regulations against maneuvering in dangerous proximity to other aircraft.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Acquittal of Lt. Wilson
Reference ↗Despite the CAB's finding of reckless conduct, a military court-martial acquitted Lt. Wilson of manslaughter charges, partly based on conflicting testimony from a ground witness.