B-17 Crash
 

At Bradley Airport, CT, USA.

Owned by Collings Foundation.

Engine failure shortly after take off - turn back attempted - smoke seen from No 4 engine - multiple fatalities.

3 crew + 10 PAX on board.

Eyewitness account: https://www.wfsb.com/video-eyewitnes...73e8b5aa0.html

Crashed on a maintenance building: https://www.wfsb.com/video-eyewitnes...73e8b5aa0.html

Video not available UK....it says....

Ground comms:

ATC recordings:

Aerial video of crash site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i81CPmaO7Q

6 people transported to hospital alive with burns - breakdown of B-17 crew / PAX versus building occupants not known.

I once had the pleasure of a 30 minute flight in that aircraft operated by the Collins foundation and flown all across the USA, along with a 2 seat P51, a Mitchel and a Liberator.
Thinking of those souls.

The B-17 was part of the Wings of Freedom tour giving air experience flights - ad here:

CT Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) has now confirmed that 7 died - 6 others were transported to hospital.

Very sad.
And already - a wikipedia entry - amazing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octobe...Fortress_crash

NTSB Press Conference - (Judge) Jennifer Homendy

Known facts so far:
Took off 0945 - 0950 problem reported - returning to land.
Impacted ILS stanchions whilst attempting emergency landing on Runway 6 - veered to right - crossed grass + taxiway - impacted de-icing facility.
Preliminary Report within 10 day.

Awful news.............:(

I knew a couple of the Collings pilots years ago, and I got a ride in 909 (as well as their B-25) back in 2007 when I hooked up with them during a visit to other friends that live in California.

Thought with all those affected by this.

There's another thread on R&N here.

Good video here from You Tube user "blancolirio" - a retired USAF fighter pilot who puts together factual videos about aviation matters for a hobby - often to debunk journalistic and political bandwagon nonsense that occurs after accidents. He is a historic aircraft owner himself.

The aircraft was built in 1944 too late to participate in WWII but was used for atomic bomb tests in 1952. It was left abandoned in the NV desert 1952 to 1965.
1965 stripped for spares to support the firefighting air tanker industry - then in 1977 restored and used as a tanker itself until 1985.
Bought by Collings Foundation in 1985.

Explanation of FAA regulations for inspections, checks and operation of historic aircraft from 07:51.

Thinking of those who died, those who survived and all their loved ones who will be having one hell of a cr@p day

Indeed.
When I did my B17G ride on 909, the ramp was packed with family and friends of those who were actually on the ride program. Back then (2007) there were also more WW2 vets around, and Collings team would usually have a few on hand at each stopover, so they could talk to the people taking the rides and their friends/families as part of the experience.