Investigation Summary
The accident was precipitated by a misunderstanding of runway clearance. Delta Flight 379 had landed and attempted a 180 degree turn to exit the runway but slid into the mud. Although the DC-9's tail was only 7 feet from the runway edge, the Delta crew reported they were 'clear of the runway.' The tower controller, relying on this report, cleared TWA Flight 159 for takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the TWA crew observed the proximity of the Delta aircraft but continued until they reached the vicinity of the DC-9. At that moment, the jet exhaust from the DC-9's idling engines entered the intake of TWA's outboard right engine (No. 4), causing a loud compressor stall. The first officer, who was the flying pilot, felt a yaw and a bang, leading him to believe a physical collision had occurred. Because the captain had failed to call out 'V1' (132 knots), the first officer believed they were still at a speed where an abort was possible. In reality, the aircraft had reached 145 knots, a speed between the calculated VR (140 knots) and V2 (150 knots). The late abort, combined with the high speed, made an overrun inevitable.
Final Conclusions
The NTSB determined the probable cause was the inability of the TWA crew to successfully abort the takeoff at the speed attained. The board noted the abort was understandable given the first officer's belief that a collision had occurred. A significant contributing factor was the Delta crew's report that they were clear of the runway without verifying their distance from the pavement, and the fact that their aircraft was not actually a safe distance away due to the hazard posed by jet exhaust.
Video Analysis
Clear of Conflict | Trans World Airlines Flight 159 — A detailed look at the 1967 Cincinnati runway overrun involving a Boeing 707 and a stuck Delta DC-9.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Volney D. Matheny, age 45
First Officer
Ronald G. Reichardt, age 26
Flight Engineer
Robert D. Barron, age 39
Systems & Failure Modes
Pratt & Whitney JT3C-6 Engines
The number four engine suffered a compressor stall when it ingested the hot, turbulent jet exhaust from the idling Delta DC-9.
Thrust Reversers and Spoilers
The crew deployed these systems to decelerate, but the high speed and remaining runway distance were insufficient to prevent an overrun.
Interesting Facts
- 01The Boeing 707 reached a peak speed of 145 knots, which was 13 knots above its V1 speed.
- 02The Delta DC-9's tail was positioned only 7 feet from the edge of the active runway.
- 03The NTSB found that 'clear of the runway' was not formally defined in FAA regulations at the time.
- 04One passenger died four days after the accident; 10 other occupants were injured (2 seriously, 8 slightly).
- 05TWA successfully sued Delta Air Lines for $2,216,000 for the loss of the aircraft.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Runway Clearance Definition
The NTSB recommended that the FAA clearly define 'clear of the runway' to include a safe distance that accounts for jet engine exhaust hazards.
Abort Procedure Revisions
The NTSB recommended revisions to airline takeoff abort procedures to emphasize the dangers of high-speed rejects.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Dissenting Opinion on Probable Cause
NTSB member Francis H. McAdams dissented from the majority, arguing the primary cause was the Delta crew's failure to accurately report their proximity to the runway and the controller's failure to verify it, rather than the TWA crew's abort decision.