B-17 Tragedy
Nov 12, 2022 22:56:42 #
Sorry to hear of the mid air collision between the WW II aircraft >.., a B-17 (TEXAS RAIDERS) and a Cobra at an air show in Texas today …Footage taken off the web site …
Neither pilot saw each other …as the B-17 Turned into his left landing pattern and the Cobra blinded by his wing and coming up fast .. couldn’t see the slower moving B-17 who appeared to the Cobra pilot 20 seconds earlier as heading straight.., expecting to pass him given the B-17 path when in fact a few seconds later the B-17 started his left turn which intersected with the Cobras flight path ..
We pray the the men onboard and their families … simply a tragedy for all of us …
Neither pilot saw each other …as the B-17 Turned into his left landing pattern and the Cobra blinded by his wing and coming up fast .. couldn’t see the slower moving B-17 who appeared to the Cobra pilot 20 seconds earlier as heading straight.., expecting to pass him given the B-17 path when in fact a few seconds later the B-17 started his left turn which intersected with the Cobras flight path ..
We pray the the men onboard and their families … simply a tragedy for all of us …
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Just before the collision ..
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Cobra striking the B-17 at the top wing and fuselage joint connection.
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The fuselage separates from the wing and forward section of the B-17
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Nov 12, 2022 23:12:49 #
Nov 12, 2022 23:43:43 #
Nov 13, 2022 07:23:44 #
Nov 13, 2022 07:35:49 #
Thanks for the explanation. I just saw a clip on the news and was trying to figure out what happened. So sad.
Nov 13, 2022 08:51:01 #
Nov 13, 2022 09:08:26 #
A real tragedy both in lives lost and priceless historical aircraft lost. I find it hard to believe the wing of the P-39 obscured the pilot's view enough to fly into something as big as a bomber. Due to accidents like these (and at air races), fewer and fewer air shows are available, each year. There used to be several up here in New England but following each accident, the FAA (or whoever) tightened up restrictions for flying over people and buildings to the point where there are no longer any airfields meeting their requirements.
Nov 13, 2022 09:11:06 #
So sad for the people involved and their families. Also tragic that fewer and fewer of these magnificent old warbirds are around. They were examples not only of great engineering but of the nation's resolve to stop the Nazi tyrants trying to take over the world.
Nov 13, 2022 09:46:21 #
This is heartbreaking. As a former skydiver who used to do many air shows and have witnessed more than one tragedy this really hits home. I lost 4 friends in a mid air collision. Something you never forget. Prayers for the families.
Nov 13, 2022 10:08:52 #
Dr.Nikon wrote:
Sorry to hear of the mid air collision between the... (show quote)
Thank you, Dr Nikon, for sharing the details of this tragic event.
Nov 13, 2022 10:29:03 #
Dr.Nikon wrote:
Sorry to hear of the mid air collision between the... (show quote)
I live about 10 miles or so from the airport and also a member of the Commemorative Air Force at the Colonel level. I have been in the B-17 and have pictures somewhere. I may post some. This is a tragic event since our group is like a family, well it is a family. This hits home very sadly. Today's airshow for Sunday has been canceled and tickets will be reimbursed. I had my two cameras ready for today's event but I want to thank the kind thoughts and words of the HOGG members here.
Bruce.
Nov 13, 2022 12:46:24 #
fourlocks wrote:
A real tragedy both in lives lost and priceless hi... (show quote)
I read this morning that the P-39 was notorious for having bad sight lines out the cockpit.
Nov 13, 2022 13:00:15 #
I saw it on the news last night, Bob, hard to believe it happened, your explanation cleared things up somewhat, my condolences to the families.
Nov 13, 2022 13:04:13 #
fourlocks wrote:
A real tragedy both in lives lost and priceless hi... (show quote)
The vintage aircraft were in a parade formation circling the field.., no special maneuvers .. , the cobra was a lot faster than the 17 and could see the 17 well ahead.., as the next left turn was coming up to continue circling the field the 17 had started his slow left bank and the faster cobra going much faster initiated his left bank at a more extreme angle and miss calculated his drift and the position of the 17 with his extreme banking ,,. the Cobra wing may have blocked the Cobra pilots view of the 17 for just a few seconds while he was banking .., the Cobra pilot thought he was ahead of the 17 and in fact 1.8 seconds more time .., he would have just cleared the 17 .. a simple mis calculation and error in judgement ... Very tragic ..
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Parade formation with the Cobra seen to the right banking slightly starting his turn ,.
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a full banking and possible blocked by his wing, the Cobra misjudged his position relevant to the slow moving 17 ..
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Nov 13, 2022 13:14:21 #
AirWalter
Loc: Tipp City, Ohio
Dr.Nikon wrote:
Sorry to hear of the mid air collision between the... (show quote)
I was shocked when I saw the wing come off in one piece. I hope it was quick for them. Such a horrendous site! I watched several videos on YouTube, and it was sickening when I heard that wing and fuselage hit the ground. So sad.
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