Investigation Summary
Flight 300 was operating on an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan but was in Visual Flight Rules (VFR) weather conditions at the time of the accident. While descending through 8,000 feet, the airliner was overtaken by a T-33 Shooting Star on a proficiency flight. The T-33 was traveling at approximately 290 knots compared to the Viscount's 235 knots, with a closing rate of 195 knots. The jet trainer performed a gentle right turn that resulted in a collision with the Viscount's forward fuselage. The impact caused the Viscount to pitch up, lose airspeed, and enter a flat spin. The T-33 disintegrated immediately. The investigation highlighted the limitations of the 'see and be seen' principle in an era of increasing aircraft speeds and the difficulty of detecting small, fast jets on radar.
Final Conclusions
The Civil Aeronautics Board released its final report on January 9, 1959. The Board determined the probable cause was the failure of the T-33 pilot to exercise proper and adequate vigilance to see and avoid other traffic. As the overtaking aircraft, the T-33 bore the primary responsibility for maintaining separation. The report also noted that the small size of the T-33 made it difficult for ground-based radar to track effectively.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
Capital Airlines Flight 300 Aftermath Footage | 20 May 1958 Brunswick, Maryland — Historical footage and accident description of the mid-air collision between a Capital Airlines Vickers Viscount and a Maryland Air National Guard T-33 near Brunswick, Maryland.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Capital Airlines 300 — Vickers Viscount 745D · N7410
Maryland Air National Guard N/A — Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star · 53-5966
Crew Experience
Captain
Kendall Brady, age 38.
First Officer
Paul Meyer, age 26.
Captain
Julius McCoy, age 34. Sole survivor.
Systems & Failure Modes
Visual Flight Rules (VFR)
The regulatory framework requiring pilots to 'see and avoid' other aircraft. The investigation found this principle insufficient for high-speed jet traffic.
Air Traffic Control Radar
Ground radar was in use, but the T-33's small size and lack of transponder made it difficult for controllers to identify and provide separation.
Interesting Facts
- 01The collision occurred in clear, cloud-free air under VFR weather conditions.
- 02The T-33 pilot, Captain Julius McCoy, survived by parachuting but suffered severe burns.
- 03The Viscount entered a steep right spin that transitioned into a flat spin before ground impact.
- 04The closing rate between the two aircraft was approximately 195 knots.
- 05This was the second of four fatal crashes involving Capital Airlines Viscounts in less than two years.
- 06The Vickers Viscount (MSN 108) performed its first flight on January 6, 1956.
Safety Actions & Advisories
IFR Requirement Expansion
Following the accident, the USAF and Capital Airlines required all aircraft on airways above 10,000 feet to operate under IFR to reduce collision hazards.
Positive Control Development
The CAB accelerated the development of a positive control system for aircraft separation to move away from sole reliance on the 'see and be seen' principle.