Trans World Airlines Flight 553 was a scheduled flight from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Columbus, Ohio. On March 9, 1967, it was involved in a mid-air collision with a private Beechcraft Baron. The impact occurred near Concord Township, Ohio, around 5:30 PM local time. Both aircrafts suffered critical damage as a result of the collision, leading to the TWA jet crashing into a field. Tragically, all 26 occupants on the TWA flight, including passengers and crew, perished in the accident.

The Beechcraft Baron, a twin-engine airplane, was piloted by an experienced aviator. Reports indicate that the Baron was maneuvering near the vicinity of the TWA flight before the collision occurred. Eyewitness accounts suggested that the two planes were spotted entwined in the sky for a brief moment before the TWA flight plummeted towards the ground. The precise circumstances surrounding the connection point of the two aircraft remained under investigation, with questions arising regarding air traffic management and possible miscommunications between the planes.

Following the accident, investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) unveiled critical safety considerations, highlighting the need for improved regulations and better systems for collision avoidance. The incident initiated discussions within the aviation community on how to enhance safety protocols and prevent similar catastrophes in the future, leading to recommendations that would shape air traffic control practices.