British European Airways Flight 142

British European Airways Flight 142

Accident
Date	22 October 1958
Summary	Mid-air collision
Site	Nettuno, near Anzio, Italy
First aircraft
A Vickers Viscount similar to the accident aircraft
Type	Vickers Viscount 701
Operator	British European Airways
Registration	G-ANHC
Flight origin	London Heathrow Airport, England
Destination	Naples Airport, Italy
Passengers	26
Crew	5
Survivors	0
Second aircraft
A North American F-86 Sabre similar to the accident aircraft
Type	North American F-86E Sabre
Operator	Italian Air Force
Passengers	0
Crew	1
Survivors	1

British European Airways Flight 142 (callsign Beeline 142) was a scheduled service between London Heathrow Airport and Naples Airport. On 22 October 1958 it was flown by a Vickers Viscount 701, registered G-ANHC, and named "Sir Leopold McClintock" During its flight, the Viscount collided with an Italian Air Force North American F-86E Sabre over Anzio, Italy.

Accident

Flight 142 was flying at 23,500 feet towards Naples when it collided with the F-86E. The F-86E was the leading aircraft of four on a tactical training exercise when it hit the Viscount. Both aircraft crashed, with the loss of all souls on the Viscount. The F-86 pilot, Captain Giovanni Savorelli, ejected and survived.

Investigation

While no blame was assigned for the accident, it was noted that the Viscount had strayed out of its airway and into a military-prohibited area.

External links

• Air crash in Anzio includes description and video of aftermath including fuselage and burial ceremony (British Pathe website)
• Italian air crash kills 31 Daily Illini (online newspaper archive, Illinois National Library website)
• "The Nettuno Tragedy". FLIGHT. Vol. 74, no. 2598. London, UK: Iliffe and Sons Ltd. 7 November 1958. p. 706.