The November 1, 1947, midair collision over Washington Nationwide Airport involving a Douglas DC-4 and a Lockheed P-38 Lightning resulted within the lack of all 55 people on board the industrial airliner and the pilot of the army fighter. This tragic occasion, investigated by the Civil Aeronautics Board, highlighted the pressing want for improved air site visitors management procedures and applied sciences within the more and more congested airspace round airports. The DC-4, working as a scheduled passenger service from Boston, was on remaining strategy when it was struck by the P-38, which was practising touchdown maneuvers. The following investigation revealed deficiencies in current air site visitors management methods, together with communication limitations and insufficient radar protection.
This incident served as a catalyst for important developments in aviation security. The ensuing suggestions led to the implementation of improved radar methods, standardized communication protocols between pilots and controllers, and the event of visible flight guidelines (VFR) and instrument flight guidelines (IFR) to raised handle plane separation in numerous climate situations. The tragedy underscored the significance of ongoing developments in aviation know-how and laws to forestall comparable accidents and improve the security of air journey for the general public.