1995 Miami Mid-Air Collision

In 1995, a FlyJet Douglas DC-9 was involved in a catastrophic mid-air collision near Miami with an American Airlines DC-10 while both aircraft were operating in congested terminal airspace during approach.

During a crossing maneuver, the vertical stabilizer of the DC-10 clipped the tail section of the DC-9. The impact sheared off critical tail control surfaces on the DC-9, resulting in an immediate loss of pitch and yaw control. The DC-9 entered an unrecoverable descent and broke apart moments later.

The DC-10 sustained severe damage to its vertical stabilizer, leading to rapid depressurization and loss of directional stability. Despite flight crew efforts, the aircraft also crashed shortly thereafter. There were no survivors from either aircraft.

Investigation Findings

The investigation determined that the collision resulted from a failure to maintain proper vertical separation, compounded by air traffic control miscommunication during sequencing. No mechanical faults were found on either aircraft. Flight crews were assessed to have acted appropriately based on the instructions and situational awareness available at the time.

Impact on FlyJet

The accident had immediate and lasting consequences for FlyJet:

Permanent grounding and accelerated retirement of the DC-9 fleet

Significant financial strain due to compensation paid to victims’ families

Severe reputational damage and loss of consumer confidence

By 1996, the airline entered bankruptcy proceedings, suspending all operations.

Legacy

The 1995 Miami Mid-Air Collision became the defining event in FlyJet’s history. When the airline resumed operations in 2000, it did so with enhanced safety governance, stricter operational oversight, and a fundamentally changed corporate culture focused on preventing a recurrence of such an event.

FlyJet DC‑9 CVR Transcript (Flight 192)

Time (MM:SS) FlyJet DC‑9 (Flight Crew / Audio)

−02:10 FO: Approach cleared us to descend to seven thousand.
−01:55 CAPT: Confirm traffic advisory? I’ve got someone above us.
−01:40 FO: TCAS is quiet… nothing showing.
−01:25 CAPT: We’re cleared seven, continue descent.
−01:10 FO: Vertical speed normal.
−00:55 CAPT: I still don’t see him.
−00:40 FO: Wait—traffic above?
−00:25 CAPT: Power set—hold altitude!
−00:15 FO: We’re descending—rate increasing.
−00:07 CAPT: Traffic! Twelve o’clock!
00:00 [Loud impact — loss of tail control surfaces]
+00:03 CAPT: We’ve lost the tail—no control!
+00:12 [Unintelligible / structural breakup]
+00:22 Miami Tower: FlyJet 192, confirm final attitude, please.
+00:27 Delta 154 (broadcast ground): Uh, just to let you know, we saw two planes collide on approach.
+00:29 Miami Tower: Roger that delta 154.

American Airlines DC-10 CVR Transcript (Flight 736)

Time (MM:SS) American Airlines DC-10 (Flight Crew / Audio)

−02:10 FO: We’re level at eight, cleared to seven next.
−01:55 CAPT: Traffic at eleven o’clock, looks lower.
−01:50 FE: Instruments look normal—no warnings on our side.
−01:40 FO: TCAS just popped—traffic, two hundred feet below.
−01:25 CAPT: Tell approach we’ve got conflicting traffic.
−01:10 FO: TCAS—traffic, traffic.
−01:05 FE: TCAS agrees—target closing fast.
−00:55 CAPT: Visual—small jet, right side!
−00:40 CAPT: He’s climbing into us—pull left!
−00:35 FE: Vertical stabilizer clearance looks tight!
−00:25 FO: TCAS—descend, descend!
−00:15 CAPT: We’re descending now!
−00:07 FO: He’s right there—!
00:00 [Heavy impact — severe vertical stabilizer damage]
+00:03 CAPT: We’ve lost the fin—no response!
+00:05 FE: Hydraulics dropping—stabilizer gone!
+00:12 [Rapid alarms / recording ends]
+00:18 Miami Tower: American 736, cleared to land runway 27R.
+00:27 Delta 154 (broadcast): Uh, just to let you know, we saw two planes collide on approach.
+00:29 Miami Tower: Roger that delta 154.