The collision occurred during the commemorative Air Force Wings Over Dallas show (Twitter/Jiankaizen)
United States of america:
Two planes – a Boeing B-17 bomber and a small plane – collided mid-air at an air show at Dallas Executive Airport in Texas on Saturday, immediately plummeting to the ground and bursting into flames.
The status of the pilots in both the aircraft is yet to be determined, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was quoted as saying.
Dramatic footage captured by airshow attendees showed the large B-17 bomber flying, not too high above the ground, in a straight line, while the smaller aircraft – a Bell P-63 Kingcobra – made its way to the left. Jumping in The small plane crashes on top of a B-17, a World War II aircraft, and immediately the two planes break into pieces, showing the scene.
Within seconds, the planes are on the ground, covered by a ball of fire.
— Giancarlo (@GianKaizen) November 12, 2022
OMG – Two planes collided at the ‘Wings Over Dallas’ air show today
this is madness
– James T. Yoder (@JamesYoder) November 12, 2022
The Associated Press reported that the collision occurred during the commemorative Air Force Wings Over Dallas show of Dallas, adding that the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board were launching an investigation.
In a tweet, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said there were still details that were “unknown or unconfirmed”.
“As many of you have noticed, a terrible tragedy has occurred during an airshow in our city today. Many details are unknown or unconfirmed at this time. The National Transportation Safety Board took command of the crash site with the Dallas Police Department And Dallas Fire-Rescue continues to provide assistance,” he said.
As many of you have now seen, a terrible tragedy happened during an airshow in our city today. Many details are unknown or unconfirmed at this time. @NTSB has commanded the accident site with @DallasPD And @DallasFireRes_q continues to provide assistance.
— Mayor Eric Johnson (@Johnson4Dallas) November 12, 2022
The four-engined B-17 bomber played a major role in winning the air war against Germany in World War II. With a workhorse reputation, it became one of the most produced bombers ever. The P-63 Kingcobra was a fighter developed by Bell Aircraft during the same war, but used only in combat by the Soviet Air Force.
One of the last major B-17 crashes occurred on October 2, 2019, when seven people were killed in a crash at an airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
(With inputs from AFP)
Featured Video of the Day
Watch: Couple braves heavy rain to get married at Chennai temple