The P-63 hit the B-17 “Texas Raiders” from the left side, severing the tail. The two aircraft then fell down, exploding when impacting the ground
Two World War II era aircraft, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bomber and a Bell P-63 Kingcobra fighter were involved in a crash at Dallas Executive Airport (RBD) in the US on Nov. 12, 2022.
As the video in this post shows, the P-63 hit the B-17 “Texas Raiders” from the left side, severing the tail. The two aircraft then fell down, exploding when impacting the ground.
The aircraft collided and crashed around 1:20 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement. The collision occurred during the Commemorative Air Force Wings Over Dallas show.
Wings Over Dallas bills itself as “America’s Premier World War II Airshow,” according to a website advertising the event, Military.com reports. The show was scheduled for Nov. 11-13, Veterans Day weekend, and guests were to see more than 40 World War II-era aircrafts. Its Saturday afternoon schedule included flying demonstrations including a “bomber parade” and “fighter escorts” featured the B-17 and P-63.
According to Aerotime Hub, the number of people onboard is unknown as of yet. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board launched investigations.
B-17G Flying Fortress Texas Raiders belonged to the Commemorative Air Force and was one of the most recognized and popular warbirds flying at airshows. The US built 12,731 B-17s. Texas Raiders was the first Flying Fortress acquired solely for the purpose of restoration and use as a flying museum. The aircraft had been restored to wartime configuration by an entirely volunteer group of dedicated supporters, and had been on her mission to Educate, Inspire, and Honor for the Commemorative Air Force for over 50 years.
The P-63 King Cobra too belonged to the Commemorative Air Force. This World War II fighter was developed from the P-39 Airacobra, which it closely resembles. The US Army Air Forces never used the P-63 in combat, although some were used for fighter training. Many P-63s were exported as lend-lease aircraft; the Soviet Union received 2,456 and Free French forces obtained 300. Since the P-63’s low-level performance was adequate, it was widely used by the Soviets for such missions as “tank busting.” Bell produced 3,305 P-63s, 13 of which were P-63Es.
As we reported back then, on Oct. 2, 2019, Collings Foundation B-17 Flying Fortress Nine-O-Nine crashed at the Bradley International Airport in Windsor Lock, Connecticut., killing seven people.
Photo by Still image taken from YouTube footage by FoxNews
