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2019 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress crash

Coordinates: 41°55′54″N 72°41′32″W / 41.93167°N 72.69222°W / 41.93167; -72.69222
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The destroyed B-17 at the crash site
Accident
DateOctober 2, 2019 (2019-10-02)
SummaryCrashed during attempted emergency landing
SiteBradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, Connecticut, United States
41°55′54″N 72°41′32″W / 41.93167°N 72.69222°W / 41.93167; -72.69222
Aircraft
Aircraft typeBoeing B-17G-85-DL Flying Fortress
Aircraft nameNine-O-Nine (marked as)
OperatorCollings Foundation
RegistrationN93012
44-83575 (former)
42-31909 (marked as)
Flight originBradley International Airport
DestinationBradley International Airport
Occupants13
Passengers10
Crew3
Fatalities7
Injuries6
Survivors6
Ground casualties
Ground injuries1

On October 2, 2019, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress owned by the Collings Foundation crashed at Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, Connecticut, United States. Seven of the thirteen people on board were killed, and the other six, as well as one person on the ground, were injured. The aircraft was destroyed by fire, with only the tail and a portion of one wing remaining.

Background

Prior to the accident, the Collings Foundation had been operating the aircraft as part of the Living History Flight Experience, a Federal Aviation Administration program that allows owners of vintage military aircraft to offer rides in their aircraft for compensation. The Foundation's executive director, Rob Collings, had previously requested changes to allow visitors to manipulate the controls of the aircraft and argued that the FAA had been too strict in interpreting the rules of the program.[1]

Aircraft

Photograph of the aircraft involved in the accident
The aircraft involved, painted as Nine-O-Nine
Collings Foundation's Nine-O-Nine, in Marana, Arizona, on April 15, 2011

The aircraft was a 74-year-old Douglas-built Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, military serial number 44-83575 (variant B-17G-85-DL) with civilian registration N93012.[2] The aircraft was painted to represent a different B-17G,[3] the 91st Bomb Group's Nine-O-Nine, with military serial number 42-31909 (variant B-17G-30-BO), which had been mothballed shortly after World War II at Kingman, Arizona and eventually scrapped.[4] During its original military career, the aircraft operated as an Air-Sea Rescue aircraft until 1952, when it was reassigned to the Air Force Special Weapons Command for use as a specimen in weapons-effects testing. In this role, it was subjected to three nuclear explosions as part of Operation Tumbler–Snapper. The aircraft was purchased as scrap in 1965 for a price of US$269 (equivalent to $2,601 in 2023); being in relatively good condition, it was restored to airworthy condition for use as a water bomber for ten years, entering civilian service in 1977.[5]

Following its operator's liquidation in 1985,[5] the aircraft was acquired by the Collings Foundation in January 1986,[3] restored to its 1945 configuration, and N93012 was flying as Nine-O-Nine by August 1986.[6] While operated by the Collings Foundation, it was involved in two prior accidents: on August 23, 1987, it overran the runway on landing at Beaver County Airport near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,[3][7] and on July 9, 1995, it was damaged on landing at Karl Stefan Memorial Airport in Norfolk, Nebraska, as the result of a landing gear malfunction.[8][9]

The October 2019 crash and resulting fire destroyed most of the aircraft. Only the left wing and part of the tail remained.[10][11]

Accident

The "living history" flight was delayed 40 minutes because of difficulty starting one of the four engines. The pilot shut down the other three engines and used a spray can of nitrogen to "blow out the moisture" in the engine that balked.[12][13] The aircraft took off from Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, at 09:48 local time (13:48 UTC).[8][14] It carried three crew and ten passengers.[15] A witness reported that an engine was sputtering and smoking.[16] At 09:50, two minutes after takeoff, the pilot radioed that there was a problem with engine number 4.[10] The control tower diverted other traffic to allow for an emergency landing.

The aircraft came in low, touched down 1,000 feet (300 m) short of the runway,[12] clipped the instrument landing system (ILS) antenna array, veered to the right off the runway across a grassy area and taxiway, then crashed into a de-icing facility at 09:54;[17][10] the aircraft then burst into flames.[16]

Seven occupants were killed, and the remaining six were injured severely enough to be taken to the hospital, including one who was airlifted.[8][17] Among the dead were the pilot and co-pilot, aged 75 and 71 respectively.[18] One person on the ground was injured (see below).[19] The airport was closed for 3+1⁄2 hours after the crash.[16]

Rescue

One of the passengers on the aircraft, a Connecticut Air National Guardsman, managed to open an escape hatch after the crash, despite having a broken arm and collarbone. An airport employee, who had been working in the building into which the aircraft had crashed, ran to the wreckage to help pull injured passengers from the burning aircraft. The employee suffered severe burns on his hands and arms and was taken by ambulance to the hospital.[20] Construction worker Robert Bullock was working nearby at the airport when he heard the explosion and felt the heat. Hearing cries for help, the former firefighter scaled a barbed wire fence and began helping victims. He applied a tourniquet to one patient and then moved on to others until emergency medical services arrived. Bullock appeared to be uninjured during his heroic rescue.[21] Multiple planes on the ramp contacted the control tower immediately after the accident helping to accelerate rescue efforts. Air traffic controllers contacted airport fire and rescue personnel as well as Life Star. The airport was closed to allow unrestricted access to the accident scene and began diverting incoming flights.[22]

Investigation

NTSB investigators at the crash site on October 3

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) opened an investigation into the accident.[16] A "go team" was dispatched to Bradley International Airport, headed by Jennifer Homendy.[23] The NTSB removed some wreckage to their laboratory for further analysis, completing operations at the scene by October 8.[24]

The NTSB issued its preliminary report on October 15, 2019. Fuel recovered from the tanks for the No. 3 engine appeared free from water and debris contamination and was consistent with 100LL avgas in smell and appearance. The fuel truck that had refueled the aircraft with 160 US gallons (130 imp gal; 610 L) of 100LL before the flight was quarantined. Still, the NTSB found no anomalies in its fuel supply or equipment, and no engine trouble was reported by pilots of other aircraft refueled from the same truck before or after the accident aircraft. During the flight, the accident pilot had reported that the No. 4 engine had a "rough mag" referring to a magneto on that engine. The NTSB reported that two of the propeller blades of the No. 3 engine were between the low pitch and feathered position, while the third blade had sustained impact damage and was near the feathered position. All of the propeller blades of the No. 4 engine were in the feathered position. The aircraft had landed with the flaps in the retracted position, and the landing gear extended.[25]

In March 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration revoked the Collings Foundation's permission to carry passengers, citing numerous safety concerns and noting that allowing passengers "would adversely affect safety." Investigators found substantial shortcomings in the foundation's safety practices: key personnel were ignorant of the organization's maintenance program and "basic information concerning operations." The left magneto for the No. 4 engine had been "jury [rigged]" with safety wire and was inoperative, while the right magneto produced a weak or no spark in four of the nine cylinders it was supposed to fire.[26] All spark plugs on both the No. 3 and No. 4 engines had been gapped improperly. They needed cleaning, and evidence of detonation was found.[26][27] The inspection of engine No. 3 also revealed problems with the cylinders.[26]

An updated NTSB docket summary containing investigation details, testimonies, media, and medical reports was released on December 9, 2020.[28] The final NTSB report was released on April 13, 2021, and cited pilot error as the likely cause—noting in particular, "The B-17 could likely have overflown the approach lights and landed on the runway had the pilot kept the landing gear retracted and accelerated to 120 mph until it was evident the airplane would reach the runway."—with inadequate maintenance as a contributing factor.[29][30]

In June 2020, the families of three of the victims who were killed and five who were injured filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Collings Foundation.[31] The lawsuit claimed that the Collings Foundation failed to take necessary safety precautions for a passenger flight.[32] The foundation reached a settlement with the families in September 2023.[33]

References

  1. ^ Backus, Lisa (October 12, 2019). "In wake of fatal crash, Collings Foundation pushes to keep flying". The Middletown Press. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  2. ^ Leone, Dario (October 2, 2019). "Collings Foundation B-17 Flying Fortress Crashes". theaviationgeekclub.com. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "History of the B-17 Nine O Nine". Collings Foundation. Archived from the original on August 9, 2014.
  4. ^ Havelaar, Marion H. (1995) The Ragged Irregulars of Bassingbourn: The 91st Bombardment Group in World War II. Schiffer Military History. ISBN 0-88740-810-9 p.185
  5. ^ a b Thompson, Scott A. (2000) Final Cut: The Post-War B-17 Flying Fortress: The Survivors. Pictorial Histories Publishing Company. ISBN 1-57510-077-0 pp.116-120
  6. ^ Henrichs, Mary (August 11, 1986). "Sight of vintage bomber startles ex-crew member". The Vidette-Messenger. Valparaiso, Indiana. p. 9. Retrieved October 4, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Danhauer, Clifford (January 11, 1989). "National Transportation Safety Board Aviation Accident Data Summary, Accident Number: NYC87LA238". National Transportation Safety Board. Retrieved October 3, 2019 – via ntsb.gov.
  8. ^ a b c Bonner, Michael; Simison, Cynthia (October 2, 2019). "The vintage B-17 bomber that crashed at Bradley International Airport had crash landed before". Mass Live. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  9. ^ "Nine-O-Nine's Replica Survives Emergency" (PDF). The Ragged Irregular. Vol. 28, no. 4. October 1995. pp. 1–2 – via 91stbombgroup.com.
  10. ^ a b c Owens, David; et al. (October 2, 2019). "7 dead, 7 injured in crash of World War II bomber at Connecticut's Bradley International Airport". Hartford Courant. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  11. ^ Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft accident Boeing B-17G-30-BO Flying Fortress N93012 Windsor Locks-Bradley International Airport, CT (BDL)". aviation-safety.net. Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  12. ^ a b Altimari, Dave; Brindley, Emily; Kovner, Josh; Owens, David; Rondinone, Nicholas. "NTSB investigating whether B-17 that crashed at Bradley International Airport Wednesday had engine trouble prior to takeoff". Hartford Courant. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  13. ^ Brindley, Emily; Dempsey, Christine; Kovner, Josh; Owens, David; Rondinone, Nicholas. "State police release names of victims, survivors of B-17 plane crash at Bradley International Airport". Hartford Courant. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  14. ^ "N93012 Flight Path". Flight Aware. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  15. ^ Negroni, Christine; Paybarah, Azi (October 3, 2019). "B-17 Plane From World War II Crashes at Bradley Airport, Killing at Least 7". The New York Times. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  16. ^ a b c d Collins, Dave; Ehrmann, Chris (October 2, 2019). "World War II-era bomber trying to land crashes in fireball; 5 deaths confirmed". WDBJ7. Archived from the original on October 4, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  17. ^ a b "Seven dead in Connecticut vintage B-17 WWII bomber crash". BBC News. October 2, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  18. ^ Tziperman Lotan, Gal; Sweeney, Emily; Ellement, John R. (October 3, 2019). "Two Mass. men among 7 people killed in B-17 crash in Conn". The Boston Globe. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  19. ^ Geneous, Jacob (October 2, 2019). "At least five dead after World War II-era plane crashes into airport". Metro. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  20. ^ Altimari, Dave (October 2, 2019). "'A very courageous individual.' Airport employee pulled injured passengers off burning plane, police sources say". Hartford Courant. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  21. ^ "Video: Construction worker, first-responder helps aid victims following B-17 crash". WFSB. October 4, 2019 – via YouTube.
  22. ^ "Vintage WWII Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress crashes landing at Bradley". VASAviation. October 2, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ National Transportation Safety Board [@NTSB_Newsroom] (October 2, 2019). "NTSB Go Team launching to investigate Wednesday's crash of a B17 at Bradley International Airport, Connecticut. Team led by Board Member Jennifer Homendy" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  24. ^ "NTSB finishes on-scene investigation into the crash of vintage WWII plane in Connecticut". ABC7 New York. October 7, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  25. ^ "Aviation Accident Preliminary Report ERA20MA001". National Transportation Safety Board. October 15, 2019. ERA20MA001. Archived from the original on October 15, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  26. ^ a b c "Rescission of Existing Exemption and Denial of Petition to Extend Exemption". www.regulations.gov. Archived from the original on March 29, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  27. ^ Owens, David (March 25, 2020). "FAA says owner of World War II bomber that crashed at Bradley, killing seven, did not take safety seriously and can no longer carry passengers". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  28. ^ "Aviation Investigation - 56 Docket Items - ERA20MA001". NTSB.gov. NTSB. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  29. ^ Collins, Dave (April 13, 2021). "Pilot Error Likely Caused B-17 Crash at Bradley Airport: NTSB". nbcconnecticut.com. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  30. ^ "Pilot's Actions, Maintenance Issues, Ineffective Safety Management System and Oversight, all Contributed to Fatal Crash of Historic B-17 Airplane". NTSB.gov. NTSB. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  31. ^ Aratani, Lori. "Victims of a vintage, World War II-era plane crash file suit". Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  32. ^ Skahill, Patrick. "Lawsuit Details Final Moments Of Deadly Bradley B-17 Crash". www.nepr.net. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  33. ^ Burchill, Caitlin (September 29, 2023). "Vintage airplane operator expresses regret in deadly B17 crash lawsuit settlement". NBC Connecticut. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
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