B17 crash at Bradley

[Airbubba]

Originally Posted by filejw

I feel for the people that work for Collings, a friend that works for them said its somber and sad.

From the Hartford Courant:

Pilot delivers emotional message as Collings Foundation’s remaining historic planes leave Bradley Airport following deadly B-17 crash

By EMILY BRINDLEY HARTFORD COURANT |

OCT 06, 2019

All four of the Collings Foundation’s remaining historic airplanes flew out of Bradley International Airport on Saturday, days after one of the organization’s planes went down in a fiery crash that killed seven people and injured seven more.
On Wednesday, the foundation’s World War II-era B-17 Flying Fortress crashed 1,000 feet short of runway 6. On Saturday afternoon, a pilot of one of the foundation’s other historic planes prepared to leave Bradley from the same runway.
Before taking off, the pilot asked air traffic control if he could say a few words.
“It’s difficult, but bear with us,” the pilot is heard saying in a recording of the conversation. “From everybody here, our crew and the entire Collings Foundation, we’re very appreciative and (have deep) sorrow for everything.”

In a brief message and with his voice sometimes breaking, the pilot addressed all of the airport workers and the families of those who were injured or killed in Wednesday’s crash.
Among the crash victims were pilot Ernest “Mac” McCauley and co-pilot Michael Foster.

“On a personal note — and I guess it’s even more difficult because we never do it — but we have to leave behind two of our friends, Mac and Mike, and our brothers and fellow crew," the pilot said.
After the pilot’s message, air traffic control cleared the plane to take off from runway 6.

Here's the audio from LiveATC.net:

https://forums.liveatc.net/atcaviati...h;attach=10534