There are reports that the Collings Foundation B-17G that was on a “Wings of Freedom” tour across the country has crashed at Bradley International Airport this morning. There is no word yet on injuries or casualties.
We can confirm that there was an accident involving a Collings Foundation World War II aircraft this morning at Bradley Airport. We have an active fire and rescue operation underway. The airport is closed. We will issue further updates as information becomes available.
— Bradley Intl Airport (@Bradley_Airport) October 2, 2019
Update 9: Oct 2, 2019, 7:18 PM ET: The Courant and other media sources are now reporting that the death toll is now 7 with 7 injured. There still has not been any official confirmation of fatalities yet. Based on the need to inform next of kin, it is unlikely that any official confirmation of the death toll would occur before tomorrow.
A recent Tweet posted by the NTSB shows the aircraft at rest. With the exception of the tail and part of the left wing, the rest of the B-17G looks unrecognizable. Truly heartbreaking to see.
NTSB board Member Jennifer Homendy and investigator Dan Bower at the scene Wednesday of the crash of a B-17 at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut. pic.twitter.com/uDblzYtiJl
— NTSB_Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) October 2, 2019
The NTSB has also asked for videos, photos of the aircraft in either the moments before or shortly after the crash. You can e-mail them at witness@ntsb.gov.
HAPPENING NOW… Press conference with National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in regards to the Bradley International Airport plane crash. They are asking anyone that has any information, videos or photos to email witness@ntsb.gov. pic.twitter.com/W3wHG2FnYg
— CT State Police (@CT_STATE_POLICE) October 2, 2019
Also posted this afternoon, Tweets from Connecticut’s Senators both convey deep sorrow for the incident with a sincere desire to determine the cause.
Our hearts go out to the loved ones of the victims. They & the public deserve to know the facts & causes of this tragic crash. I’m calling for an immediate National Transportation Safety Board investigation so we can get to the bottom of what happened & prevent future tragedies. https://t.co/SEsFgjq2Nj
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) October 2, 2019
Horrible news from Bradley this morning. My heart goes out to everyone impacted by this crash. I’m continuing to get updates on the situation and we are ready to assist with federal resources if needed. https://t.co/F7GL76mIye
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) October 2, 2019
Update 8: Oct 2, 2019, 4:08 PM ET: The Courant is now reporting that 5 people have perished with an additional 9 injured. Some injuries were apparently pretty horrific. Additionally, the airport is now open again. Runway 15/33 which is the shorter runway of the two a 6,847 feet is open. Runway 6 remains closed.
Update 7: Oct 2, 2019, 1:13PM ET: Facebook live video from NBC Connecticut discussing the injuries of the victims. NBC Connecticut said a total of 13 people on board including 10 passengers and 3 crew with one person also injured on the ground.
Update 6: Oct 2, 2019, 12:17 PM ET: The Collings Foundation released a statement on the crash. You can read it here.
Additionally, aviation-safety.net is reporting that the B-17 involved in the crash took off at 9:45 AM local this morning. Five minutes later, they made a request to land on Runway 6. According to the site, the airplane crashed as it was landing, coming to a stop near a small de-icing equipment/ maintenance area located 1100 feet east of the numbers on runway 6 and southeast of the Bradley Air National Guard Base ramp.
Update 5: Oct 2, 2019, 11:52 AM ET: The Hartford Courant is now reporting that two people have died. Citing sources, the stated that two perished, with multiple others injured. There is no official confirmation at this time by any authorities.
Update 4: Oct 2, 2019, 11:35 AM ET: EAA Chapter 1310 posted unconfirmed flight aware data showing the aircraft climbed to 800 feet before turning back to the airport.
Flightaware shows N93012 (B-17) took off at 9:48. Got up to about 800’ about 120 kn. Turned back to BDL when over the Connecticut River pic.twitter.com/O4DaUyTN8V
— EAA Chapter 1310 (@eaa1310) October 2, 2019
Update 3: Oct 2, 2019, 11:33 AM ET: WWLP.com is reporting that 6 people have been taken to the local hospital. No word on their conditions at this time.
Update 2: Oct 2, 2019, 11:20 AM ET: WWLP.com has a live video camera panning the scene with behind the scenes footage as they prepare for a live television report. At the present time, the fire appears to be out. The tail of the aircraft is clearly visible and unburnt but the fuselage looks heavily damaged if not destroyed. There are many fire and other emergency vehicles surrounding the aircraft making it impossible to see the full extent of the damage. The aircraft looks like a total loss. There is still no information on injuries or casualties on the aircraft.
Update 1: Oct 2, 2019, 11:14 ET: WWLP.com is reporting that Bradley International Airport is expected to be closed until tomorrow. While airports typically close after an incident, that seems a little extreme. Current NOTAMs at the airport show that the airport is closed until 2359 this evening.
!BDL 10/010 (KBDL A3225/19) BDL AD AP CLSD 1910021423-1910022359EST
Original post below…
Video is posted by Twitter user Segun O. who works near where the B-17 crashed.
Vintage B17 plane crashed across the street from my job at Bradley Airport. pic.twitter.com/GtFuo4TW8t
— Segun O. (@Seeguunn) October 2, 2019
The aircraft involved in the incident is believed to be the beloved and world-famous “Nine-O-Nine” B-17 bomber. The B-17G, serial number 44-83575 and registered as N93012, is owned by the Collings Foundation based in Stow, Massachusetts. This particular aircraft never did serve in World War II. But it did provide air-sea rescue services as part of the Air/Sea 1st Rescue Squadron with additional service in the Military Air Transport Service. The aircraft later served as a testbed to evaluate the effects of nuclear blasts on aircrafts. It also served as a fire bomber. In 1986, the Collings Foundation acquired the aircraft.
This is a Breaking News Update… We will update this article as new information is made available.