Piedmont Airlines Flight 22 was a scheduled passenger flight that tragically collided with a private Cessna 310 on July 19, 1967. The collision occurred over Hendersonville, North Carolina, leading to the instant destruction of both aircraft. The incident claimed the lives of all 82 passengers and crew members aboard the Boeing 727, including prominent figures such as John T. McNaughton, who served as an advisor to U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. The flight was en route to Atlanta, Georgia, and was airborne at an altitude of roughly 13,000 feet when the accident occurred. Witnesses reported a loud explosion, immediately followed by debris raining down in the vicinity of the Hendersonville area. The investigation that followed revealed that both aircraft were operating in the same airspace without adequate communication, raising serious questions about air traffic control practices at the time. As a result of the tragedy, regulations surrounding air traffic control were scrutinized and subsequently improved to enhance safety in the growing airline industry. The Cessna 310, a small twin-engine plane, was reportedly in a descent at the time of the collision, creating a complex situation in the airspace over Hendersonville.The investigation prompted critical reforms in aviation safety regulations and heightened awareness of the need for improved communication among pilots and air traffic controllers. Furthermore, it brought to light the importance of collision avoidance systems, which would later become an essential part of modern aviation technology to prevent similar tragedies.