Six confirmed dead in Dallas air show incident

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
13 Nov 2022 16:58
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The show has now been canceled due to the tragic event which left a total of six fatalities.

Two confirmed dead in Dallas air show incident

A Dallas airshow during which two World War II planes collided on Saturday left six people dead, authorities said on Sunday.

"According to our Dallas County Medical Examiner, there are a total of 6 fatalities from yesterday's Wings over Dallas air show incident," Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said Sunday on Twitter.

Witness footage showed the two airplanes running into each other in mid-air and then crashing on the ground, causing an enormous explosion to go off.

Another view/angle of the devastating plane crash from the Dallas Air Showpic.twitter.com/yV4SEOSfGs
— MG (@arnau99999) November 12, 2022

The two aircraft that crashed are reportedly a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and a smaller Bell P-63 Kingcobra during the Wings Over Dallas Airshow at Dallas Executive Airport.

The Allied Pilots Association confirmed two of its retired members died in the Texas accident.

We are saddened to report that former APA members CA Terry Barker and CA Len Root were among the crewmembers lost on B-17 Flying Fortress during the Wings Over Dallas airshow today. Our hearts go out to their families, friends, and colleagues past and present.
— Allied Pilots (@AlliedPilots) November 13, 2022

As many of you have now seen, we have had a terrible tragedy in our city today during an airshow. Many details remain unknown or unconfirmed at this time. The @NTSB has taken command of the crash scene with @DallasPD and @DallasFireRes_q continuing to provide support.
— Mayor Eric Johnson (@Johnson4Dallas) November 12, 2022

The chief executive of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) who owned the planes, Hank Coates, said the B-17 "normally has a crew of four or five," while the P-63 is operated by a single pilot.

The show, which was scheduled to go on until Sunday, has been canceled.

Several witnesses showed the smaller plane losing altitude and crashing into the B-17.

Dear God. B-17 mid air at the Dallas Airshow. This hurts to watch. pic.twitter.com/KsFkX3TlRI
— Dale Stark (@DaleStarkA10) November 12, 2022

An investigation has been launched by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Coates said the CAF pilots are experienced volunteers with "very thorough training" and are often retired military pilots.

He added that the Association owns 180 vintage aircraft that fly about 6,500 hours per year in air shows, tributes to veterans, and training flights.

The B-17 played a major role during WWII against Germany and was one of the most produced bombers at the time.

As for the P-63 Kingcobra, it was likewise engineered during WWII and was used in combat exclusively by the Soviet Air Force.

Heartbroken. The lives of several aviators and two pieces of aviation history have been lost in the skies over Dallas today. The P-63 King Cobra collided with the B-17 Flying Fortress during the Wings Over Dallas airshow, destroying both planes. Neither aircrew survived. pic.twitter.com/l6Dyhes3hw
— Nathan Moeller 🇺🇸 (@TheAstroN8) November 12, 2022