Collings Foundation B-17 Tragedy: Seven Dead As One Of Last Airworthy B-17s Crashes In Connecticut


Collings Foundation B-17 Tragedy: Seven Dead As One Of Last Airworthy B-17s Crashes In Connecticut

Seven people are confirmed dead after the crash of a Collings Foundation B-17 at Connecticut’s Bradley International Airport. The airplane, one of less than 20 airworthy B-17s of the 13,000 produced during the 1930s and 1940s struggled to gain altitude off of the runway and crashed when trying to make a return to the airport where it was to be part of a large gathering of WWII era airplanes this weekend. The airplane had a total of 13 people on it with six of them hospitalized with injuries ranging from the very serious to the minor. As of this writing, names of the victims have not been released.

The B-17 was the workhorse of the American Air Force in WWII, dropping more tonnage of bombs than any other model of airplane used in the service of the country at that time. This particular plane, the Nine-O-Nine flew 140 missions during WWII, dropped some 562,000lbs of bombs, completed 18 bombing raids on Berlin, and had more than 1,100 hours of work in the air. In a sadly ironic twist, Nine-O-Nine flew more than 130 missions straight without having to abort for mechanical reasons of any time, a statistical anomaly for this period of aviation for sure.

The Collings Foundation has been and continues to be an incredible resource for the preservation of the flying history of our country, specifically on the military side. They have flown countless hours, miles, and their traveling show has appeared at hundreds of airports over the years.

This is an amazingly sad event and word continues to come out regarding who was on the plane. We have recently learned that two Connecticut fire fighters were among the passenger list. We are unaware of their condition at this time.

 

Click here for the latest on this very sad event –

 


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10 thoughts on “Collings Foundation B-17 Tragedy: Seven Dead As One Of Last Airworthy B-17s Crashes In Connecticut

  1. Loren

    Not the actual 909 which was scrapped in the ’40s. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine-O-Nine

    Tragic, tragic.

    I’ve bought rides in old planes and considered one in that very aircraft once…but wondered how well they can be kept alive by the children and grand-children of the generation which built them. It can’t be easy…

  2. Realdeal

    That was restored in my neck of the woods after its first crash in 1987 at beaver county pa airport

  3. Realdeal

    On Aug. 23, 1987, a severe crosswind caught the B-17 carrying 12 people just after touchdown at the Beaver County Airport in Chippewa Township, causing the right wing to lift and the aircraft to roll off the end of the runway. It smashed through a chain link fence, sheared off a power pole and crashed down a 100-foot ravine. Fortunately, it did not catch fire….Its landing gear had sheared off; the chin turret was smashed; the Plexiglass nose was shattered; and its bomb bay doors, fuselage, ball turret, wings and nacelles all had significant damage, according to reports. An Air Heritage volunteer aboard the aircraft suffered a broken back and has since passed, Werking said….. you can get the whole story on beavercountian.com

  4. Joel Hemi

    That is horrible, I pray for the injured and the family of those who died. I rode on that very plane in Naples Florida s few years ago. The danger never crossed my mind.

  5. Brendan M

    I work one town over and saw the smoke from the crash as soon as it happened. The New England Air Museum is on that airfield. Vintage planes are always coming in and out, as well as the 103rd AIr National Guard. Terrible tragedy. There were also three people on the ground who suffered severe injuries.

  6. drivindadsdodge

    I live near Willow Run Airport .. where they were made …
    and quite often get to watch the B17 Yankee Lady and B25 Yankee Warrior fly over my house the fly with Grace and have a very distinct sound .. when ever I hear them I go out and look to watch them fly over

  7. GeorgeA

    I saw this aircraft at Worcester (MA) Municipal Airport two weeks ago during the Wings of Freedom Tour, and in 2017 rode in the Collings B-24 “Witchcraft” as a birthday present from my wife. It was a fantastic experience and I’m heartbroken at this turn of events.

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