Six people were killed when two historic military planes collided mid-air at the Wings Over Dallas Airshow on Saturday afternoon.
The crash happened at the Dallas Executive Airport in Texas around 1:20 p.m. A Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and a Bell P-36 Kingcobra crashed into each other and fell to the ground. A fire broke out, emitting thick black smoke.
NBC 5 reports that the Dallas County Medical Examiner confirmed six deaths due to the crash. Authorities are continuing to investigate the plane crash and are working to identify the victims.
Michael Graham, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board, confirmed that five crew members and a pilot were among the deceased.
A portion of Highway 67 was closed for several hours for falling debris in the wake of the crash. Despite the falling debris, no one was injured on the ground.
CEO and President Hank Coates of the Commemorative Air Force said during a press conference that the aircraft involved was well-maintained and safe for flight. The pilots were volunteers and highly trained.
He noted that everyone involved was known to each since it is a tight-knit community. “I can tell you this is an extremely close-knit family. Everybody knows everybody,” Coates said.
The crash is still under investigation. The NTSB will lead the investigation, with help from the FAA and Commemorative Air Force.
