Date:	Saturday 9 February 1974
Time:
Type:	North American T-39A Sabreliner
Owner/operator:	United States Air Force - USAF
Registration:	60-3506
MSN:	265-34
Engine model:	Pratt & Whitney JT12A-6A Turbo Wasp
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 7 / Occupants: 7
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed, written off
Category:	Accident
Location:	near Colorado-Springs, CO -   United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Military
Departure airport:	Colorado Springs-Peterson Field, CO (COS/KCOS)
Destination airport:	Sacramento-McClellan AFB, CA (MCC/KMCC)

Narrative:
The USAF Sabreliner jet departed Peterson Field (COS), bound for McClellan AFB (MCC). At the same time a Boeing NKC-135A (55-3120) (Airborne Laser Lab) was en route from Seattle to Albuquerque-Kirtland AFB, NM with 18 crew on board. It reportedly carried scientific equipment to make observations of the Comet Kohoutek.
En route at 23,000 feet both aircraft collided. The Sabreliner struck the tail of the NKC-135 and subsequently crashed out of control. The NKC-135 suffered only minor damage and landed safely at Albuquerque-Kirtland AFB, NM.

Reportedly the Sabreliner experienced some kind of landing gear failure shortly after takeoff. The crew of the NKC-135 offered to do a visual inspection of the underside of the T-39 in flight. The collision occurred during this manoeuvre.

7 Killed as 2 Air Force jets collide (Pasadena Star-News 11-2-1974)
Aircraft collision probe is under way (Times Recorder, 11-2-1974)

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