An investigation of the accident concluded that the pilot in command of the T-33 failed to see and maintain a safe distance from other air traffic.

[2] The T-33 jet trainer launched from Martin State Airport at 11:07 for a VFR familiarization flight; its air speed was significantly higher as it approached the Viscount from the left and behind.

While slowly climbing through 8,000 feet (2,400 m) at 85 percent engine power, the jet banked slightly to the right and impacted the left side of the airliner forward of the wing.

[1][2][3][4] The four engine Viscount V.745 British medium-range turboprop airliner, serial number 108, first flew from Hampshire, England on 6 January, 1956.

Powered by Rolls-Royce Dart RDa3 Mark 506 engines turning four blade square tipped constant-speed propellers, it was delivered to Capital Airlines on 15 January, 1956 as fleet number 329.

[2] The two-place Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star subsonic American jet trainer aircraft involved was manufacture serial number 580-9528 and registered 53-5966.

It determined that the collision happened during VFR conditions, and that both aircraft would have been in clear cloud free air nine-tenths of the time.