First Mid-Air Collision of Commercial Airliners

On April 7, 1922 the first midair collision of commercial airliners took place some 70 miles north of Paris.

The aircraft involved were a deHaviland DH-18A and a Farman F-60, also known as a Goliath. The DH-18A was flying mail occupied by the pilot and a young boy steward, while the Goliath was carrying three passengers, a pilot, and a mechanic.

Two of the passengers were a newly wed American couple along with a French national citizen. Unfortunately for all none survived. The young steward was the only one found alive when rescuers arrived, but he died shortly thereafter.

Following the normal route in drizzle and fog at an altitude of 150 metres (492 ft), the DH.18A collided with the Goliath over Thieuloy-Saint-Antoine, 4 kilometres (2 mi) south of Grandvilliers in the Oise department (now part of Picardie), France, some 27 kilometres (17 mi) north of Beauvais and some 70 miles (110 km) north of Paris. All seven people died in the first-ever mid-air collision between airliners.

7 April, 1922- First mid-air collision between passenger carrying airliners on scheduled services occurs over Thieuloy-Saint-Antoine (France). Aircraft involved were Daimler Airways, de Havilland DH.18 and a Grands Express Aériens, Farman Goliath. 7 passengers and crew are killed.