Prayers for the families affected by this tragic loss of life.
Posted on 10/02/2019 9:30:38 AM PDT by McGruff
A World War II-era bomber crashed in a giant fireball while trying to land in Connecticut on Wednesday morning, killing at least two people, injuring several others and sending giant plumes of smoke rising from Bradley International Airport.
The B-17 owned by the Collings Foundation — a group that hosts regular historical re-enactments — crashed into a shed while trying to land at the airport in Windsor Locks about 10 a.m., witnesses told the Hartford Courant.
The civilian-registered Flying Fortress was taking part in the group’s “Wings of Freedom” vintage aircraft display at Bradley, New England’s second-busiest airport...
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
I love these old war birds.. SAD! I’m sure lots of people have taken rides in this one.
Prayers for the families affected by this tragic loss of life.
"Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee."
Very stable aircraft. I wonder what broke>
Wish I could justify the cost of a P-51 flight.
A B-17 was flying over the house just last week. (Denver burbs)
I almost flew on that very plane this past weekend. I would venture to go on another one. It is on my bucket list.
Prayers for those involved.
We will get the usual people saying these shouldn’t fly. I say they should. I’ll be in one someday. Doesn’t deter me even a whit.
More info here:
While there is no official word on the number of deaths, sources say at least two people have died and three others have critical injuries. The plane was one of five at the airport for the Wings of Freedom tour.
The plane was full, with 13 people on board, the pilot, the co-pilot, an employee and 10 passengers, state police sources said.
Laura Nolan said she saw that something was amiss as the plane came in for a landing. She was driving east on Route 20 at the time, and she saw the World War II-era plane flying unusually low.
“He was treetop level when I saw him,” Nolan said. “And one of the engines wasn’t spinning.”
So sad, so true.
An aviation museum at Bradley International was hit by a tornado a number of years ago, I believe.
My Dad’s best friend was a tailgunner on a B-17 during WWII - flew a ton of missions and survived to be a cattle rancher for many years in north central Washington state. He rolled his own smokes one handed at the kitchen table, a real cowboy.
A witness, Brian Hamer, saw the plane take off, and the plane did not climb very high. He saw the number 3 engine fail and then the plane return to the airport. Moments later he heard a crash and saw smoke.
The Collings Foundation had brought several planes to Bradley this week, including the B-17G that crashed. a B-24 –Liberator, a B-25, a P-51 – Mustang fighter, and a P-40 Warhawk. Rides on some of the planes were available to the public.
https://fox61.com/2019/10/02/reported-plane-crash-near-bradley/
I go by that airport frequently on Route 20 as I have an office in Windsor. The airplanes are often low when they come over that section.
My dad did that and spent some time in a German stalag.
Nine-O-Nine B17 crashed on attempted landing after a reported engine failure by a witness who described the b17 as flying low and striking a building. Two reported dead of 13 on board. Prayers for the injured and those that lost loved ones.
I saw this one at an air show last year here in VA.
30 minute rides started at $400.
The two-seat P-51 rides were like $1500.
The former president of my company died hot-dogging his friend's P-51.
(Very fine line between the edge of the envelope and over the edge...)
So sad.
Finest propeller aircraft ever, imho.
My Dad was a waist gunner on a B17 in WWII and flew in the raids over Ploesti.
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