Took a flight in her a few years ago...magnificent aircraft in the air...I grew up on flight...a line of pilots in my family...hate so much to hear of this...my prayers and thoughts are with the families and victims of the crash
@@Kobaneko2005 Not to be "that guy," but everyone on that flight singed the waiver saying that they understood and accepted the "risk." I've singed the waiver, and I'd do it again.
It’s such a shame that she’s gone. My sincerest condolences to the families of the victims. The Collings Foundation would visit the small airfield near my house every other year and I always dreamed of going for a ride in one of them. Im not sure if this is true, but I read somewhere that the 9-0-9’s pilot, Mr. Mac MacCauly was the highest ranking B-17 pilot in regards to flying time. At least he died doing what he enjoyed. R.I.P.😔
It is such a dear shame, I remember seeing Ernest "Mac" McCauley every year at the airport. I'm sure he was the most experienced, having 7300 logged flight hours. It's such a shame that this had to happen.
@@matthewmajcher7180 Jennifer Hollingsley, of the NTSB said in the press conference the other day that he was the highest time B-17 pilot in the United States. That is an incredible amount of time to log in one aircraft. Believe he had 21 years of flying "Nine O Nine". I saw it in Bangor, ME, in about 2006 and he was flying it then and gave a little speech once the crew had climbed down out of the aircraft. Seemed like a truly great guy to be in that spot, and you could tell he just loved what he was doing. He would be the first guy to say "keep em flying", even after this!
@@nathanpitts5319 His flying time in a B17 was highest not just in the US but in history, this is a tragedy in so many ways I can't even begin to describe it. I said the other day that I'll bet the FAA is going to put an end to passengers on these old war birds because some politican is going to propose a bill outlawing it to make a hero out of himself, and don't you know just today I saw an article online about some politican from Connecticut talking about whether it should be allowed along with a lawyer that specializes in aircraft mishaps both spouting off about it, lawyers, scum of the earth, probably hoping some grieving family members of someone killed on the plane would read the article and get a hold of him, like I said, tragic in more ways then I know how to describe.
@@dukecraig2402 Agree with all you say, he was indeed the most experienced B-17 pilot in the world. Points about lawyers are well made. Bar Harbor Airlines had a crash near my home about 30 yrs ago, it was a small commercial twin and before it was over the manufacturer was blamed for the entire thing despite the fact the aircraft had been flying for years.......and it was a very rainy and foggy night, and the pilot and passengers had all been at a party in Bangor and were headed home. Use your imagination on all of that. This was a very dangerous point in the flight of "Nine O Nine" or any aircraft at this point. Aircraft is in climb out, at a few hundred feet altitude, and only a few knots above stall speed. The crew has neither altitude nor airspeed to spare. An engine out at 10,000 ft gives the crew minutes to deal with the issue and the nose can always be dropped to gain some speed if needed. When it is a close to the ground, and stall speed, as this was the crew had only a very very short time to respond to the issues. I don't know what happened here but feel sure the NTSB will figure it out. I have read numerous investigation reports on their database and the investigations are as thorough as can be. I do know of at least two 4-engined propeller airliners that were lost in th 1950's, both of them due to drag from "# 4" propeller, at low altitude and low airspeed. Not saying that happened here, just a possiblity. My guess will be that whatever happened was beyond the ability of ANY crew to handle, especially in such a vulnerable spot. The loss of both life, and a very special piece of flying history are beyond tragic. It is sad to think that the FAA will probably stop passengers on these aircraft and that would be a shame. Was at an airshow in Bangor, ME in 2006 or so. A P-51 fighter plane landed and taxied up to the ramp. Out of it stepped a "not very young" Chuck Yeager. He was pretty elderly himself at that point too! It was just a delight to see such a wonderful craft and such a famous pilot. We must keep them flying somehow! everybody was on that flight of his own free will and well knew the risk, no flight guarantees anybody's safety....and never will.
Everyone dies. Life begins. Life ends. What you do in the middle is more important than either end. Mac did what he loved for decades. He died while involved in what was his favorite activity. If you die in the act of doing something you love, you win.
Flew over my work a few months back. Couldn't resist making the 45 minute drive to Boeing field to say howdy to Mac, the crew and some of my favorite birds. Give anything to be able to fly with Mac and 909 again. Fair sky's and tailwinds my friends...
Watched "Nine O Nine" and the Collings B-24 fly into and out of Bangor, ME around 2006 or so. Boarded and took the walk through tour of both aircraft. Several WWll vets who had flown in similar aircraft were there too and the pleasure of seeing these gentlemen experience just a slight bit of their youth again was simply moving. Everyone associated with Collings has spoken of these visits by these old vets. This was a priceless piece of history that was lost. The loss of life a tragedy. Yet every single victim loved this aircraft and the idea of keeping history flying. We must keep on supporting these kinds of efforts.
909 comes to Laconia N.H. airport every year. A couple weeks ago I finally took the day off to visit. As I was standing under her #3 engine 2 gentlemen came up, mistaking me for crew and began telling of their dad flying B17s in WW2 then another elderly couple came over. He flew Lancasters in WW2. I was in awe of the stories these men told. Shortly after I left, while at the store down the street I heard her roar overhead taking those men on a flight. Such a tragic loss in both human life and valued history.
@@rebelyank6361 Back thirty some years ago I lived in southeast Iowa and would go to the Confederate Air Force flying in at Milian, Illinois. The men that flew those old warbirds were young enough yet to come to those things yet, and what a privilege to hear their stories. That along was worth the price of admission.
A terrible tragedy. The sad thing is that several of the passengers were riding the fortress as a bucket list event. How ironic that the very activity they were taking part in is what ended their lives.
@@sirboomsalot4902 those are very different things, it's pretty much your own fault if you fall down the grand canyon, this accident was caused by the incompetence of the Collins Foundation
My sincerest condolences to the flight crew and passengers who perished and were injured that day. I was fortunate enough to see the 9o9, the Liberator and the P-51 here in Kearney, NE this summer 2019. Very sad day.
I road my motorcycle up to Kearney to see the planes when they were there. If put in museums, we here in the Midwest would never get to see them. Plus the experience to see and hear them flying is an experience that no film will reproduce. Plus museums do not allow the "hands on" that the wonderful aviation history groups do. All I can do is say thank you to all of those great organizations such as the Collings Foundation, Confederate Air Force, and all the rest that have given us such grand insights of aviation history.
Ron Fullerton I have seen some incredible things.... and Aviation... Planes trains and automobiles... add a few speed boats to the list... it’s what mechanics do.... Kearny Neb... awesome place! N Platte is close to my old home
@@663rainmaker Sort of a p.s., being from NP you got to see those wonderful compound steam locos of Union Pacific. Another amazing machine. And the sound of those old locos pulling under load is just as sweet music as the motors on the warbirds. If we could just get those techies away from there screens for a moment, but alas, it took more than a keystroke to run those babies.
@@ronfullerton3162 I know! It's been thrilling to see these old warbirds. I got to fly in the Sentimental Journey in the Bombardiers position when it was here years ago. I have always particularly loved the B-17 ever since I was around ten years old and built all of the American and German WWII planes. My best friend, an Engineer I used to work with, was a radar operator on one and he flew over 30 missions. I think I really used to be in one in my former lifetime. I had this urge to build all of these planes when I was young (middle '60's) for some reason, yet I knew nothing about them.
This is a double gut-punch. The loss of life, and the loss of history. There will soon come a day where the only way future generations will see what a B-17 was like in flight is through footage or virtual reality. Those brave souls who lost their lives knew that reading history isn't the same as riding in history.
God bless all the people who lost their lives and the ones who survived! And may the Nine O Nine rest in piece as well. So sad all around. I'm so sorry for the families who lost their loved ones! May they find peace in their hearts!
a well maintained aircraft. i am not a comfortable passenger but i have flown in Collings aircraft three times and would not hesitate to do so again. a heartbreaking tragedy.
I’m loath to write this as a vet and son of a lifer, but two of my uncles flew 17’s during the war and spoke often how demanding it was to fly needing constant attention. They were in their 20’s. No one in their 70’s should be flying 4 engine bombers!
As a pilot my self. you are correct IAM 70 now and stopped flying when I turned 55. not safe for older folks to fly. too much fast thinking and fast decision making goes into flying.
Oh the 17. She was made by the great generation that's barely here. With my grand father, slowly goes a past we can only read about. May the rest of these hall of famers last another hundred years I pray so!...... Anticipation building, excitement so thick! An endeavor to peek at Heaven, on a magically flown brick!... Up There! By Terry Allan!!!.........
The Captain was probably one of the most experienced B-17 pilots in the world, if he couldn’t save it no one could. God bless and RIP. Bloody heartbroken!!
It is not experience flying it normally that counts. It is experience doing that exact maneuver that counts. Flying normally easy flights dont make good pilots. Doing take off emergencies often is what counts..
With the benefit of commenting 4 years later, Mac, the pilot, screwed up in just about every way possible, and he should have not flown that plane that day because it was not in condition to fly.
My father took me to airshows since i was 5 years old. I always enjoyed watching the old war birds fly and speaking to veterans. It is unfortunate that we lost this war bird and the individuals who give us the opportunity to see these incredible machines fly again. May they rest in peace.
Jay Reiter it also definitely was not spinning when impacted. The other engine seen on top of the tank had bent propeller blades, but they do not look what I would expect propeller blades to look like when impacting something at full power. They must have lost more than one engine.
@@hdrenginedevelopment7507 could have lost more than one engine or the other engines lacked power. Possibly the pilot throttled back the other engines to help maintain control. It's hard to say.
I see that engine. The two blades that I can see are both bent aft. It appears the engine was turning but not pulling power. The team has made a record of all that. A great loss to bad there was not the last hundred feet of altitude.
Sen. Blumenthal - see, the NTSB is investigating this crash and will get to the bottom of what caused it. They were probably even on scene before the fires were completely extinguished so there was really no need for you to make that pandering to your base statement calling on them to respond and find the cause!
Such a shame. For the loss of life but also as well for a piece of history that will not be enjoyed for many generations to come. You cant put a price tag on history. I was very fortunate to tour this plane as well as the B-29 FiFi which my grandfather was able to go into the tail gunners position for the first time since flying in the Korean War. The plane always had a special place in my memories not just for being such a beautiful and historic aircraft. But also, for allowing my grandfather and I a few special moments.
My father was a radio man on a similar plane, the Johnny Reb back in WWII and was shot down on his 9th mission and taken prisoner for 9 months before the Germans decided they had lost the war and, with no plan for the outcome, gathered the POWs for an 800KM march called the Shoe Leather Express. It is an amazing, untold story. Many years later I took my son (around 8 -9 yrs old) to the Collings Foundation Show at Boeing Field in Seattle over Memorial Day weekend . We both crawled around inside this same ship and, after taking him home, I came back and went for a flight in her. Crawled all over the craft, sat in the radio man's position, through the bomb bay up to the pilot's area and into the nose gunner's seat, then and back into the waist gunner's area where we 7 passengers sat , several of us dumbfounded at the majesty of the plane and others caught up, like me in some video reel of what it must have been like to fly in a formation in those years of the war. I was absolutely shattered to find out the ship I'd ridden on went down.
Ola!! My dad's uncle was a tail Gunner on a B-17. He too was shotdown and became a pow. He somehow lured the prison mascot (feline) into the barracks. That was thee finest meal in his entire life!! Thank God for guys like your dad and My uncle!! Cheers!! (Dad's uncle). JD/82ND
I hope that the FAA does not ground vintage planes due to this unfortunate accident. The public deserves to have an opportunity to experience these planes as they were. There are so many expert pilots flying these planes with zero incidents in their careers.
My father is a retired FE who flew and fixed these kind of engines for many years, he is of the opinion that it was fuel contamination. He had that happen to him once in a DC7. The aircraft behaved the same way but they were able to get it on the ground
How many crew members perished, and how many passengers onboard died? When I flew on Aluminum Overcast, there were a total of 10 of us onboard. Four crew, and six paying passengers. Rest in peace to them.
@@johnosbourn4312 there were only 13 on board. That's what I meant to write. The 2 pilots unfortunately perished as well as 4 passengers. And 1 person on the ground who wasn't onboard. Have more succumbed to their injuries recently?
A tragic loss for all. I helped paint a B-17 once at Chino Planes Of Fame (CA). You get a real grasp of how large they are when you're preping one for spraying.
aw man that sucks, a piece of history gone like that, and i am sure from the looks of it- the poor crew didnt make it. what happened? how did a bird like this crash so badly like it did? i am going to pay attention to this to learn more. i never heard about it in any news.
Useful machine repairman's trick, when trying to read a tag on a motor or pump that is in a location that makes it hard to read, like the tag on the motor at 1:44, use you smart phone and take a picture. For one you can then zoom in on the picture to read the tag a whole lot easier and two, in addition you have a picture of the tag as well. And this is why we are called "skilled trades".
I think I hear an Electrician speaking !! Had many a occurence where trying to read the data plate on a electric motor, installed on some piece of equipment, was impossible to read so mirrors were typically used to backwards read the data. This was, of course, long before the smart phone was even a concept.
I live approx a mile + from runway 8 in Laconia NH.A couple weeks ago they flew between 800 and a 1000 feet above the treetops over the house when they were landing. For such a big plane it would sneak up on us then as it came over the house would shake and the noise was incredible. Very exciting. As usual I went over to take pictures and had a chance to small talk with the pilot. The people that took that flight over the big lake were just getting off and where thrilled. I would bet that was the main topic for them for quite a few days. It was a sad event when the news broke in telling about he crash.
Jesus, it's incredible that even a few people managed to survive. My condolences to the families of the deceased. This was not only a loss of human life but a loss of living history, truly tragic.
Hawker Seafury I’ve read that they refueled using the wrong fuel. Engine 4 was the first one to stop, and right before landing engine 3 shut off too, so they lost control of it without time to abort or avoid the crash
Almarma in another video the NTSB said they checked the fuel in the tanks and it was 100 LL. That’s the right fuel I agree with the people that say it had to be more than just the number 4 engine going out.
@@almarma Losing # 3 and 4 with 1 and 2 producing power would have "yawed" hard right on landing. But I have not seen much yet to guess why he lost it.
@@walkaway6353 Yes, that's what I read somewhere, but I guess all are speculations right now. I suppose the NTSB will need some months to get all the clues and make a report, so we need to wait and see
I'm sure you mean that your father flu in a B-17 in World War II. I worked on old 99 back in the day in Mesa Arizona, aircraft was manufactured after the war ended. Not trying to take away from the honor your father served our country oh, I'm just stating there's no way he flew that plane in World War II.
Nick Alati these planes were made in the 1930’S.. I looked to see when they did start building them. He did fly them then. I have all of his flight papers and the original flight manual to date. Sorry
So sad to see the loss of life and such a beautiful irreplaceable piece of history. It's a very small debris field for such a large plane, would think bits of it were missing at crash scene
It is indeed sad that 909 was lost, but never lose sight of the fact that something far more precious was also lost...……..the lives of many of those aboard.
Reports seem to indicate that the Boeing touched down short of the runway on the grass by about a 1000 feet, but then became airborne and veered right, coming down finally on top of, and into structures on the ground. I wish so much they could have settled her in right there in front of the runway. I wonder why she went airborne again, if that is indeed what really happened. hate to see this. Just heartbreaking, in every possible way. Heart broken :(
@Armando Silvier The aircraft impacts in NYC are available to anyone who has a computer. The crash in PA wasn't filmed because it was in the middle of nowhere. The crash at the pentagon was caught on an outside camera, also available on the internet. You're looking at conditions on 9/11 in today's frame of thought. Today, EVERYTHING is on camera at all times; before 9/11 cameras were nowhere near as ubiquitous as they are today, there was no perceived need for them then. Do a search on CZcams for accident or crime videos before 2001, you will find ZERO because they simply didn't exist.
So sad. My condolences to the families that lost family members. And praying for a speedy recovery for those that were injured in this terrible accident.
At this time, we don't know the cause. But they did radio in a call about a problem 5 minutes after take-off. I could only guess they were losing altitude, and given the direction and last bit of remaining altitude, they had no choice but to use any available part of the runway and adjacent surface. Not enough leftover altitude to line up with 06 and had no choice to go across it with what was available. There just wasn't enough. If the glycol tanks and buildings weren't there, then it would have been just a rough ride across the grass.
Didn’t have enough power and altitude to make it to the runway they hit the approach lights just before the runway which sent it off towards the buildings 🙁
Flight controller would have seen everything with his binoculars to document the emergency landing. At least I hope he would. It shouldn't be to complicated, just tragic all around..
Looks like the buildings held up well and did not contribute to the burning. Sorry for the loss of the historic aircraft and the people involved of course.
What a terrible sight, and my heart goes out to all of the families affected by this crash, and I do hope that the Collings Foundation resumes their Wings of Freedom Tour, sometime later down the road, following this tragic accident.
Went for ride on the Nine o Nine prior to knee transplant, getting into the plane was a struggle, but the crew kind and helpful. The next time scheduled to go diagnosed with cancer and getting chemo. Watching it fly over our house in August this year, we decided to go next year for our third ride, now that door is closed forever. For the folks who lost their lives our sincere condolences to all who loved you. To the Collins Foundation, you have lost a real friend, so sorry for you.
I am so saddened and shocked about the crash of the Nine O' Nine. I took my boys up in the 909 back in 2012 and it was such a huge thing for them. One of my best memories with my sons. So very sad.
This hurt me a lot more because believe it or not I was lucky enough to get the chance to fly in this plane in Wildwood when they have the airshow at the aviation museum. Breaks my heart to see it destroyed like this
I flew on Nine-O-Nine two months before this crash. It was a true bucket list experience, and I was saddened to learn that some of the people on my flight perished in this tragic accident just a short time later.
I very much appreciate this video. It is important that we see unadulterated an non-opinionated evidence. I think all of us would like to see more aerial views.
We lost one of our KC-135 Tankers, down in Panama, years ago. Empty weight about 105,000 pounds. They brought it back to the base in the back of two dump trucks. Very little identifiable parts.
A terrible tragedy I just love the guys who dedicate their lives to saving these pieces of history for people to remember the sacrifice young men gave to freedom and if you go into the records of air accidents during ww11 you will find that thousands of airmen lost their lives in training and ferrying aircraft so these aircraft have always been susceptible to accidents as anything can go wrong it's all wire and pulleys and although the engines were good they needed a lot of maintenance, so these brave men who gave their lives to free so many and the men who keep these magnificent machines as working history you are the bravest of all
I was working right there on the ramp exactly when it happened. I didn't even hear the crash. They immediately put us on break. I went to the car and smoked some weed.
My father Lt. Lewis M. Kerrick flew the flying fortress so it's very special aircraft to me. This one is a tragic lost as mine was on 12/16/1943. Let us keep this old bird alive. Lewis M. Kerrick
Had the Privilege of flying in the 909 a few years back out of Van Nuys, California. Out over the beach of Santa Monica. Still have Pictures of the flight. Very stable Airplane in the Air. Hope the NTSB finds out what went wrong. RIP to the departed.🇺🇸
We can't say what happened here, but after reporting problems after takeoff, the plane returned to the airport and hit the ground short of the runway. This caused loss of control and the resulting crash. Whether this was pilot error or unforeseen fatal mechanical failure no one will ever know for sure. Also the pilot was 72 years old, quite short of his prime years.
+@dlagrua The final report on the accident was released from the NTSB in April 2021. Sloppy maintenance, especially on the #3 and #4 engines as well as the pilot's poor management of the emergency were the primary causes. The mags and ignition systems of the #3 and #4 were in bad condition from very poor maintenance.
@@FiveCentsPlease That is a shame. This tells us that the accident could have been avoided with better maintenance, repair and a pilot better equipped to land in an emergency.
oh man...my head is bowed and i just have no words...go back 25 years with that bird.... the big radial partially through the structure just took me out like a foreman punch to the forehead.....this had to have been bad, it takes tremendous force to dismantle a flying-fort like that....R.I.P. fellow aviators.... keep your feet dry forever.
Honestly im pulling the trigger and riding on a B-17 before theyre grounded. I have a very strong feeling this will put an end to passenger flights on historic aircraft like these. Maybe not flybys or demonstrations in airshows, but paid passenger flights for sure. My only regret is having the chance to ride in Nine-O-Nine multiple times and not doing so..... I saw her September 1st, so sad to see her go. May all the crew and passengers lost rest in peace
Got to tour this beautiful old timer two years ago and do a walkthrough at the MAPS air Museum in Canton Ohio. Felt like I was stepping back in time to 1943..
Really tragic for the people and families of those killed in the crash. A huge loss to the historic flying community. I remember going through the Nine Oh Mine and Witchcraft when they visited Plattsburgh, NY about 15 years ago.
damn thats a big historical loss right there. b-17 played a major role in ww2. To think they didnt even use 3d software to build them makes them even more impressive
I took a flight on Witchcraft at Lincoln Rhode Island in 2007. I loved the way they do things. This is so hard for them. It is early days. let's get behind the Collings Foundation. So very sad for the relatives. So hard seeing NTSB poking through the debris, but they have their job to do!
Fortunate Bum, pilot landed 1000 ft short but successfully until the plane struck runway lighting/equipment. My speculation is the landing gear was collapsed by impacting the lighting/equip leading to a loss of directional control.
Once she clipped the wires the pilot has zero control. Momentum slewed her to the right and hit tank on ground. Fuel immediately ignited to quickly to exit. My observation only of course. My condolences to all involved.
Bill Bright, the pilot landed 1000 ft short but apparently successful until striking runway lighting/instruments probably taking out landing gear on one side and losing directional control.
@@brianchandler6127 There's nothing wrong in hypothesizing. Most everyone knows nothing is fact until an official report. And even then it could be up to speculation.
Look at it....The fire got so hot it melted the plane. Plane couldn't withstand that kind of heat. There is the tail and some of the wings and one engine left. They won't be able to determine what malfunctioned specifically. One witness heard the plane going overhead with an engine sputtering. Didn't have enough power to climb.
Ya be suprised what they can determine. Said plane had been de iced Just minutes before take off. There’s no telling. Old plane. But they will find out. Thier the best at that
@@zfgo I've heard of pilots nursing these planes back to base in WW11 on 2 or 3 engines. Seems like they could of gotten by with 3 working easy enough to land.
i have watched 909 fly over my house many times. she will be missed. condolences to all.....
I've flown on 'Witchcraft' and had always wanted to go back and fly 909. Sad.
She might come back. Just like Liberty Bell. I hope
Yeah. No. That airframe is a complete loss.
You might see b-17g texas raider fly over
The fact that there were 6 survivors is pretty amazing.
At least in part because there as a National Guard Chief on the aircraft who helped pull people out even though he had a broken arm and collar bone.
@@FLJuJitsu
I believe reports said he brought with him fire proof gloves and was able to reach through the flames to open the hatch
Took a flight in her a few years ago...magnificent aircraft in the air...I grew up on flight...a line of pilots in my family...hate so much to hear of this...my prayers and thoughts are with the families and victims of the crash
Wow u flew in her I got to be in her also my great grandpa flew her in ww2
It’s sickening seeing that old plane in pieces on the ground and knowing the loss of life that took place in a fire.
What about the 2 service trucks & the poor glycol tank. "Oh the Humanity's" ?
What's worse is some of those people PAID for that flight.
Атомный Танк paid for their death..wow
@@Kobaneko2005 Not to be "that guy," but everyone on that flight singed the waiver saying that they understood and accepted the "risk."
I've singed the waiver, and I'd do it again.
@@cbl3839 lol I wasn't saying it wasn't their fault. I'm just saying... "Isn't it Ironic" or some such.
It’s such a shame that she’s gone. My sincerest condolences to the families of the victims. The Collings Foundation would visit the small airfield near my house every other year and I always dreamed of going for a ride in one of them. Im not sure if this is true, but I read somewhere that the 9-0-9’s pilot, Mr. Mac MacCauly was the highest ranking B-17 pilot in regards to flying time. At least he died doing what he enjoyed. R.I.P.😔
It is such a dear shame, I remember seeing Ernest "Mac" McCauley every year at the airport. I'm sure he was the most experienced, having 7300 logged flight hours. It's such a shame that this had to happen.
@@matthewmajcher7180 Jennifer Hollingsley, of the NTSB said in the press conference the other day that he was the highest time B-17 pilot in the United States. That is an incredible amount of time to log in one aircraft. Believe he had 21 years of flying "Nine O Nine". I saw it in Bangor, ME, in about 2006 and he was flying it then and gave a little speech once the crew had climbed down out of the aircraft. Seemed like a truly great guy to be in that spot, and you could tell he just loved what he was doing. He would be the first guy to say "keep em flying", even after this!
@@nathanpitts5319
His flying time in a B17 was highest not just in the US but in history, this is a tragedy in so many ways I can't even begin to describe it.
I said the other day that I'll bet the FAA is going to put an end to passengers on these old war birds because some politican is going to propose a bill outlawing it to make a hero out of himself, and don't you know just today I saw an article online about some politican from Connecticut talking about whether it should be allowed along with a lawyer that specializes in aircraft mishaps both spouting off about it, lawyers, scum of the earth, probably hoping some grieving family members of someone killed on the plane would read the article and get a hold of him, like I said, tragic in more ways then I know how to describe.
@@dukecraig2402 Agree with all you say, he was indeed the most experienced B-17 pilot in the world. Points about lawyers are well made. Bar Harbor Airlines had a crash near my home about 30 yrs ago, it was a small commercial twin and before it was over the manufacturer was blamed for the entire thing despite the fact the aircraft had been flying for years.......and it was a very rainy and foggy night, and the pilot and passengers had all been at a party in Bangor and were headed home. Use your imagination on all of that.
This was a very dangerous point in the flight of "Nine O Nine" or any aircraft at this point. Aircraft is in climb out, at a few hundred feet altitude, and only a few knots above stall speed. The crew has neither altitude nor airspeed to spare. An engine out at 10,000 ft gives the crew minutes to deal with the issue and the nose can always be dropped to gain some speed if needed. When it is a close to the ground, and stall speed, as this was the crew had only a very very short time to respond to the issues.
I don't know what happened here but feel sure the NTSB will figure it out. I have read numerous investigation reports on their database and the investigations are as thorough as can be. I do know of at least two 4-engined propeller airliners that were lost in th 1950's, both of them due to drag from "# 4" propeller, at low altitude and low airspeed. Not saying that happened here, just a possiblity. My guess will be that whatever happened was beyond the ability of ANY crew to handle, especially in such a vulnerable spot.
The loss of both life, and a very special piece of flying history are beyond tragic. It is sad to think that the FAA will probably stop passengers on these aircraft and that would be a shame. Was at an airshow in Bangor, ME in 2006 or so. A P-51 fighter plane landed and taxied up to the ramp. Out of it stepped a "not very young" Chuck Yeager. He was pretty elderly himself at that point too! It was just a delight to see such a wonderful craft and such a famous pilot. We must keep them flying somehow! everybody was on that flight of his own free will and well knew the risk, no flight guarantees anybody's safety....and never will.
Everyone dies. Life begins. Life ends. What you do in the middle is more important than either end. Mac did what he loved for decades. He died while involved in what was his favorite activity. If you die in the act of doing something you love, you win.
R.I.P. Nine-O-Nine and her crew. Our thoughts and prayers to the families of the crew and Collings Foundation.
909 flew over my shop daily a few months back in Orange,Ca. have a few great pics of her overhead.....
You need to post those pictures sometime.
I live in Nashua NH. Seen her many times.
I just walked through Nine-o-Nine this summer!
Flew over my work a few months back. Couldn't resist making the 45 minute drive to Boeing field to say howdy to Mac, the crew and some of my favorite birds.
Give anything to be able to fly with Mac and 909 again.
Fair sky's and tailwinds my friends...
Watched "Nine O Nine" and the Collings B-24 fly into and out of Bangor, ME around 2006 or so. Boarded and took the walk through tour of both aircraft. Several WWll vets who had flown in similar aircraft were there too and the pleasure of seeing these gentlemen experience just a slight bit of their youth again was simply moving. Everyone associated with Collings has spoken of these visits by these old vets. This was a priceless piece of history that was lost. The loss of life a tragedy. Yet every single victim loved this aircraft and the idea of keeping history flying. We must keep on supporting these kinds of efforts.
Great post!
The _Nine 0 Nine_ is featured on Jay Leno's Garage CZcams channel about the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.
Excellent post. The right points well-made.
909 comes to Laconia N.H. airport every year. A couple weeks ago I finally took the day off to visit. As I was standing under her #3 engine 2 gentlemen came up, mistaking me for crew and began telling of their dad flying B17s in WW2 then another elderly couple came over. He flew Lancasters in WW2. I was in awe of the stories these men told. Shortly after I left, while at the store down the street I heard her roar overhead taking those men on a flight. Such a tragic loss in both human life and valued history.
@@rebelyank6361 Back thirty some years ago I lived in southeast Iowa and would go to the Confederate Air Force flying in at Milian, Illinois. The men that flew those old warbirds were young enough yet to come to those things yet, and what a privilege to hear their stories. That along was worth the price of admission.
A terrible tragedy. The sad thing is that several of the passengers were riding the fortress as a bucket list event.
How ironic that the very activity they were taking part in is what ended their lives.
That’s how many people die. Same if someone died falling down the Grand Canyon checking off their bucket list
Kicked the bucket in attempt to check something off the bucket list.
Well lets hope it was the last thing on the list then !
That's life. :/
@@sirboomsalot4902 those are very different things, it's pretty much your own fault if you fall down the grand canyon, this accident was caused by the incompetence of the Collins Foundation
Totally heartbreaking to all, especially the family's and all pilots. A piece of us also perished that day.
My sincerest condolences to the flight crew and passengers who perished and were injured that day. I was fortunate enough to see the 9o9, the Liberator and the P-51 here in Kearney, NE this summer 2019. Very sad day.
Same here. It flew over our house several times when it visited Fort Wayne IN. So very sad.
I road my motorcycle up to Kearney to see the planes when they were there. If put in museums, we here in the Midwest would never get to see them. Plus the experience to see and hear them flying is an experience that no film will reproduce. Plus museums do not allow the "hands on" that the wonderful aviation history groups do. All I can do is say thank you to all of those great organizations such as the Collings Foundation, Confederate Air Force, and all the rest that have given us such grand insights of aviation history.
Ron Fullerton I have seen some incredible things.... and Aviation... Planes trains and automobiles... add a few speed boats to the list... it’s what mechanics do....
Kearny Neb... awesome place! N Platte is close to my old home
@@663rainmaker Sort of a p.s., being from NP you got to see those wonderful compound steam locos of Union Pacific. Another amazing machine. And the sound of those old locos pulling under load is just as sweet music as the motors on the warbirds. If we could just get those techies away from there screens for a moment, but alas, it took more than a keystroke to run those babies.
@@ronfullerton3162 I know! It's been thrilling to see these old warbirds. I got to fly in the Sentimental Journey in the Bombardiers position when it was here years ago. I have always particularly loved the B-17 ever since I was around ten years old and built all of the American and German WWII planes. My best friend, an Engineer I used to work with, was a radar operator on one and he flew over 30 missions. I think I really used to be in one in my former lifetime. I had this urge to build all of these planes when I was young (middle '60's) for some reason, yet I knew nothing about them.
This is a double gut-punch. The loss of life, and the loss of history. There will soon come a day where the only way future generations will see what a B-17 was like in flight is through footage or virtual reality. Those brave souls who lost their lives knew that reading history isn't the same as riding in history.
Well said
You never know. That day may come. Or it may not if people start building replica aircraft from scratch. It's been done already.
Saw her many times and I send my prayers for all concerned at this time 1 A great loss for so many ! TC
God bless all the people who lost their lives and the ones who survived! And may the Nine O Nine rest in piece as well. So sad all around. I'm so sorry for the families who lost their loved ones! May they find peace in their hearts!
As bad as it gets.
Deepest Sympathy and heartfelt
condolences to all concerned.
a well maintained aircraft. i am not a comfortable passenger but i have flown in Collings aircraft three times and would not hesitate to do so again. a heartbreaking tragedy.
Wrong
I’m loath to write this as a vet and son of a lifer, but two of my uncles flew 17’s during the war and spoke often how demanding it was to fly needing constant attention. They were in their 20’s. No one in their 70’s should be flying 4 engine bombers!
As a pilot my self. you are correct IAM 70 now and stopped flying when I turned 55. not safe for older folks to fly. too much fast thinking and fast decision making goes into flying.
I flew on the Collins B-17 and B-14. they are a class act..... sorry for the loss........
Oh the 17. She was made by the great generation that's barely here. With my grand father, slowly goes a past we can only read about.
May the rest of these hall of famers last another hundred years I pray so!......
Anticipation building, excitement so thick!
An endeavor to peek at Heaven, on a magically flown brick!...
Up There!
By Terry Allan!!!.........
The Captain was probably one of the most experienced B-17 pilots in the world, if he couldn’t save it no one could. God bless and RIP. Bloody heartbroken!!
It is not experience flying it normally that counts. It is experience doing that exact maneuver that counts. Flying normally easy flights dont make good pilots. Doing take off emergencies often is what counts..
With the benefit of commenting 4 years later, Mac, the pilot, screwed up in just about every way possible, and he should have not flown that plane that day because it was not in condition to fly.
My father took me to airshows since i was 5 years old. I always enjoyed watching the old war birds fly and speaking to veterans. It is unfortunate that we lost this war bird and the individuals who give us the opportunity to see these incredible machines fly again. May they rest in peace.
The prop on the engine in the wall looks feathered
Jay Reiter it also definitely was not spinning when impacted. The other engine seen on top of the tank had bent propeller blades, but they do not look what I would expect propeller blades to look like when impacting something at full power. They must have lost more than one engine.
@@hdrenginedevelopment7507 could have lost more than one engine or the other engines lacked power. Possibly the pilot throttled back the other engines to help maintain control. It's hard to say.
HDR I did not see the other engine. The props will usually bend forward if under power and aft if not.
The props I personally have seen bent have struck the ground not an opposing object.
I see that engine. The two blades that I can see are both bent aft. It appears the engine was turning but not pulling power. The team has made a record of all that. A great loss to bad there was not the last hundred feet of altitude.
Sen. Blumenthal - see, the NTSB is investigating this crash and will get to the bottom of what caused it. They were probably even on scene before the fires were completely extinguished so there was really no need for you to make that pandering to your base statement calling on them to respond and find the cause!
I wanted to punch that loser in the face when I heard him talking about grounding warbirds.
Joe D Blumenthal as always is a blooming idiot. What a loser.
Such a shame. For the loss of life but also as well for a piece of history that will not be enjoyed for many generations to come. You cant put a price tag on history. I was very fortunate to tour this plane as well as the B-29 FiFi which my grandfather was able to go into the tail gunners position for the first time since flying in the Korean War. The plane always had a special place in my memories not just for being such a beautiful and historic aircraft. But also, for allowing my grandfather and I a few special moments.
My father was a radio man on a similar plane, the Johnny Reb back in WWII and was shot down on his 9th mission and taken prisoner for 9 months before the Germans decided they had lost the war and, with no plan for the outcome, gathered the POWs for an 800KM march called the Shoe Leather Express. It is an amazing, untold story. Many years later I took my son (around 8 -9 yrs old) to the Collings Foundation Show at Boeing Field in Seattle over Memorial Day weekend . We both crawled around inside this same ship and, after taking him home, I came back and went for a flight in her. Crawled all over the craft, sat in the radio man's position, through the bomb bay up to the pilot's area and into the nose gunner's seat, then and back into the waist gunner's area where we 7 passengers sat , several of us dumbfounded at the majesty of the plane and others caught up, like me in some video reel of what it must have been like to fly in a formation in those years of the war. I was absolutely shattered to find out the ship I'd ridden on went down.
Ola!!
My dad's uncle was a tail Gunner on a B-17. He too was shotdown and became a pow. He somehow lured the prison mascot (feline) into the barracks. That was thee finest meal in his entire life!! Thank God for guys like your dad and
My uncle!! Cheers!! (Dad's uncle).
JD/82ND
I hope that the FAA does not ground vintage planes due to this unfortunate accident. The public deserves to have an opportunity to experience these planes as they were. There are so many expert pilots flying these planes with zero incidents in their careers.
My father is a retired FE who flew and fixed these kind of engines for many years, he is of the opinion that it was fuel contamination. He had that happen to him once in a DC7. The aircraft behaved the same way but they were able to get it on the ground
How many crew members perished, and how many passengers onboard died? When I flew on Aluminum Overcast, there were a total of 10 of us onboard. Four crew, and six paying passengers. Rest in peace to them.
7 perished out of 13 souls aboard. Standard operation is 10 pax, 3 crew.
Two crew, and thirteen passengers, fifteen souls combined, of which seven of them died.
@@johnosbourn4312 there were only 13 on board. That's what I meant to write. The 2 pilots unfortunately perished as well as 4 passengers. And 1 person on the ground who wasn't onboard. Have more succumbed to their injuries recently?
If there is no audio...please state the fact to let them know, and it's a B-Roll in [Abv title].
Its seems to me that the pilot did all he could to try to land the b17 and almost managed to land it safely
A tragic loss for all. I helped paint a B-17 once at Chino Planes Of Fame (CA). You get a real grasp of how large they are when you're preping one for spraying.
The FAA just pulled their license to carry paying passengers.
What a sad accident. Hopefully, they will find what happened to bring the family of the victim's peace. RIP.
aw man that sucks, a piece of history gone like that, and i am sure from the looks of it- the poor crew didnt make it. what happened? how did a bird like this crash so badly like it did? i am going to pay attention to this to learn more. i never heard about it in any news.
Useful machine repairman's trick, when trying to read a tag on a motor or pump that is in a location that makes it hard to read, like the tag on the motor at 1:44, use you smart phone and take a picture. For one you can then zoom in on the picture to read the tag a whole lot easier and two, in addition you have a picture of the tag as well. And this is why we are called "skilled trades".
I think I hear an Electrician speaking !! Had many a occurence where trying to read the data plate on a electric motor, installed on some piece of equipment, was impossible to read so mirrors were typically used to backwards read the data. This was, of course, long before the smart phone was even a concept.
0:33 It’s a weird feeling when you realize you were standing in that dorsal turret just a few weeks ago
Alan Cogan No, no one was allowed in ti
I live approx a mile + from runway 8 in Laconia NH.A couple weeks ago they flew between 800 and a 1000 feet above the treetops over the house when they were landing. For such a big plane it would sneak up on us then as it came over the house would shake and the noise was incredible. Very exciting. As usual I went over to take pictures and had a chance to small talk with the pilot. The people that took that flight over the big lake were just getting off and where thrilled. I would bet that was the main topic for them for quite a few days. It was a sad event when the news broke in telling about he crash.
I can't believe no video is out there of this incident!
Really sad to see and hear about this, condolences to the crew and to their families and friends from the UK
Rest In Peace.......
An immense trajedy all round. Condolences to the families.
1:04 no prop damage so it wasn't turning
4:05 good thing that's a double walled Flameshield aboveground storage tank
That black prop dome was # 4. The other three were polished aluminium, prop is feathered.
Jesus, it's incredible that even a few people managed to survive. My condolences to the families of the deceased. This was not only a loss of human life but a loss of living history, truly tragic.
Thoughts are with the families involved, very sad time, greetings from a fan in the UK :(
Don't see how the B-17 come up short as many times as they took off and landed
Only one engine out? Must have been some other issue as a B-17 can easily fly and land on three engines.
Hawker Seafury I’ve read that they refueled using the wrong fuel. Engine 4 was the first one to stop, and right before landing engine 3 shut off too, so they lost control of it without time to abort or avoid the crash
This airplane seemed to be cursed. It had two other accidents after it was restored. One was major in the 90s.
Almarma in another video the NTSB said they checked the fuel in the tanks and it was 100 LL. That’s the right fuel I agree with the people that say it had to be more than just the number 4 engine going out.
@@almarma Losing # 3 and 4 with 1 and 2 producing power would have "yawed" hard right on landing. But I have not seen much yet to guess why he lost it.
@@walkaway6353 Yes, that's what I read somewhere, but I guess all are speculations right now. I suppose the NTSB will need some months to get all the clues and make a report, so we need to wait and see
My son and grandson took a ride in this AC two years ago.
This was a massive piece of history. Very sad to see this happen. My father was first Pilot on the B-17’s in World War II
I'm sure you mean that your father flu in a B-17 in World War II. I worked on old 99 back in the day in Mesa Arizona, aircraft was manufactured after the war ended. Not trying to take away from the honor your father served our country oh, I'm just stating there's no way he flew that plane in World War II.
I doubt it very much, The "9 0 9" was transported over to Guam for the Japan war but didn't get any mission time as the war was over.
The Collings Foundation plane was done in the paint scheme of the original Nine 0 Nine to honor it. I believe this is not an uncommon practice.
Nick Alati these planes were made in the 1930’S.. I looked to see when they did start building them. He did fly them then. I have all of his flight papers and the original flight manual to date. Sorry
Nick Alati I ment the b17 not this particular one... that crashes
So sad to see the loss of life and such a beautiful irreplaceable piece of history.
It's a very small debris field for such a large plane, would think bits of it were missing at crash scene
Irreplacable itself, but Collings does have another b-17.
My grandpa toured the B-17 for years. I'm so glad he retired from it 10 years ago. This could have been him.
It is indeed sad that 909 was lost, but never lose sight of the fact that something far more precious was also lost...……..the lives of many of those aboard.
Reports seem to indicate that the Boeing touched down short of the runway on the grass by about a 1000 feet, but then became airborne and veered right, coming down finally on top of, and into structures on the ground. I wish so much they could have settled her in right there in front of the runway. I wonder why she went airborne again, if that is indeed what really happened. hate to see this. Just heartbreaking, in every possible way. Heart broken :(
Kind of surprised in 2019 there’s no cell phone video of the actual crash?? Unless there is an authorities are withholding it for now?
jtkent28 Airport security cam captured footage, being held by NTSB at this time.
@@modmlot I was going to say most major airports have cameras there should be video. You know the NTSB is all over that footage.
Several people submitted video/photos to the NTSB.
@Armando Silvier The aircraft impacts in NYC are available to anyone who has a computer. The crash in PA wasn't filmed because it was in the middle of nowhere. The crash at the pentagon was caught on an outside camera, also available on the internet. You're looking at conditions on 9/11 in today's frame of thought. Today, EVERYTHING is on camera at all times; before 9/11 cameras were nowhere near as ubiquitous as they are today, there was no perceived need for them then. Do a search on CZcams for accident or crime videos before 2001, you will find ZERO because they simply didn't exist.
So sad. My condolences to the families that lost family members. And praying for a speedy recovery for those that were injured in this terrible accident.
At this time, we don't know the cause. But they did radio in a call about a problem 5 minutes after take-off. I could only guess they were losing altitude, and given the direction and last bit of remaining altitude, they had no choice but to use any available part of the runway and adjacent surface. Not enough leftover altitude to line up with 06 and had no choice to go across it with what was available. There just wasn't enough. If the glycol tanks and buildings weren't there, then it would have been just a rough ride across the grass.
Didn’t have enough power and altitude to make it to the runway they hit the approach lights just before the runway which sent it off towards the buildings 🙁
@3D LAND No.
Flight controller would have seen everything with his binoculars to document the emergency landing. At least I hope he would. It shouldn't be to complicated, just tragic all around..
Looks like the buildings held up well and did not contribute to the burning. Sorry for the loss of the historic aircraft and the people involved of course.
What a terrible sight, and my heart goes out to all of the families affected by this crash, and I do hope that the Collings Foundation resumes their Wings of Freedom Tour, sometime later down the road, following this tragic accident.
Flew in that very B-17, loved it and hope to fly in more WW2 war birds, well worth the risk to me.
Greg Boyington
I flew in the Liberty Belle shortly before it’s crash landing and destruction. I feel the same way.
So very very sad to see this. My heart goes out to those who were killed and injured in this horrible accident.
Went for ride on the Nine o Nine prior to knee transplant, getting into the plane was a struggle, but the crew kind and helpful. The next time scheduled to go diagnosed with cancer and getting chemo. Watching it fly over our house in August this year, we decided to go next year for our third ride, now that door is closed forever. For the folks who lost their lives our sincere condolences to all who loved you. To the Collins Foundation, you have lost a real friend, so sorry for you.
I am so saddened and shocked about the crash of the Nine O' Nine. I took my boys up in the 909 back in 2012 and it was such a huge thing for them. One of my best memories with my sons. So very sad.
This hurt me a lot more because believe it or not I was lucky enough to get the chance to fly in this plane in Wildwood when they have the airshow at the aviation museum. Breaks my heart to see it destroyed like this
Flew on this 6 times along with my SO back in the 90's. She loved flying as much as I have. We have lost something fierce in the 909 and War Bird Bob.
I flew on this exact plane with my grandfather 4 years ago. Chilling stuff man
So sad so many people that died..going up for a chance of a lifetime on a B-17...what it was ..a lifetime..gone...RIP
I flew on Nine-O-Nine two months before this crash. It was a true bucket list experience, and I was saddened to learn that some of the people on my flight perished in this tragic accident just a short time later.
This just makes me sick :( So sad.
I very much appreciate this video. It is important that we see unadulterated an non-opinionated evidence. I think all of us would like to see more aerial views.
Surely someone on the ground captured a video of this plane crashing.....
It is shocking how little there is left of such a large aircaft.
RIP to all those killed.
A sad situation for all.
We lost one of our KC-135 Tankers, down in Panama, years ago. Empty weight about 105,000 pounds. They brought it back to the base in the back of two dump trucks. Very little identifiable parts.
Something happened more serious than an engine failure.
Yes, incompetents happened
A terrible tragedy I just love the guys who dedicate their lives to saving these pieces of history for people to remember the sacrifice young men gave to freedom and if you go into the records of air accidents during ww11 you will find that thousands of airmen lost their lives in training and ferrying aircraft so these aircraft have always been susceptible to accidents as anything can go wrong it's all wire and pulleys and although the engines were good they needed a lot of maintenance, so these brave men who gave their lives to free so many and the men who keep these magnificent machines as working history you are the bravest of all
I was working right there on the ramp exactly when it happened. I didn't even hear the crash. They immediately put us on break. I went to the car and smoked some weed.
Bradley International Airport is literally within walking distance of my house.
Connecticut
My absolute condolences to the families of the victims , A Truly awful Accident , just Awful for All concerned
My father Lt. Lewis M. Kerrick flew the flying fortress so it's very special aircraft to me. This one is a tragic lost as mine was on 12/16/1943. Let us keep this old bird alive. Lewis M. Kerrick
Had the Privilege of flying in the 909 a few years back out of Van Nuys, California. Out over the beach of Santa Monica. Still have Pictures of the flight. Very stable Airplane in the Air. Hope the NTSB finds out what went wrong. RIP to the departed.🇺🇸
My thoughts & prayers go out to the families.
Beats cancer.
Not even fucking with the bull, and still getting the damn horns!
What a terrible tragedy.
We can't say what happened here, but after reporting problems after takeoff, the plane returned to the airport and hit the ground short of the runway. This caused loss of control and the resulting crash. Whether this was pilot error or unforeseen fatal mechanical failure no one will ever know for sure. Also the pilot was 72 years old, quite short of his prime years.
+@dlagrua The final report on the accident was released from the NTSB in April 2021. Sloppy maintenance, especially on the #3 and #4 engines as well as the pilot's poor management of the emergency were the primary causes. The mags and ignition systems of the #3 and #4 were in bad condition from very poor maintenance.
@@FiveCentsPlease That is a shame. This tells us that the accident could have been avoided with better maintenance, repair and a pilot better equipped to land in an emergency.
oh man...my head is bowed and i just have no words...go back 25 years with that bird.... the big radial partially through the structure just took me out like a foreman punch to the forehead.....this had to have been bad, it takes tremendous force to dismantle a flying-fort like that....R.I.P. fellow aviators.... keep your feet dry forever.
OMG .. I saw that one at the air show a few years ago in East Haven,CT..i live in New Haven ..So sad
I'm really surprised there isn't video of the crash some where. It would help determine what was the actual cause. Sad to hear of this accident.
Honestly im pulling the trigger and riding on a B-17 before theyre grounded. I have a very strong feeling this will put an end to passenger flights on historic aircraft like these. Maybe not flybys or demonstrations in airshows, but paid passenger flights for sure. My only regret is having the chance to ride in Nine-O-Nine multiple times and not doing so..... I saw her September 1st, so sad to see her go. May all the crew and passengers lost rest in peace
Modern planes crash too. There is always a knee jerk reaction. It won't happen.
With public support, you and many others will still have the opportunity. Educate your friends, educate your family, but above all educate a stranger.
Got to tour this beautiful old timer two years ago and do a walkthrough at the MAPS air Museum in Canton Ohio. Felt like I was stepping back in time to 1943..
What the hell happened...how AWFUL. My very sincere condolences to the families; absolutely gutting....
Such a tragedy all the way around. The loss of human
life & the loss of irreplaceable history.
Really tragic for the people and families of those killed in the crash. A huge loss to the historic flying community. I remember going through the Nine Oh Mine and Witchcraft when they visited Plattsburgh, NY about 15 years ago.
damn thats a big historical loss right there. b-17 played a major role in ww2. To think they didnt even use 3d software to build them makes them even more impressive
May I know the results of the investigation and what caused its crash landing? Wwii b17 can take a lot of damage and can still get home
They can also take a lot of damage and crash.
My father was a crew member aboard a B-17 in the Mighty 8th,100th Bomb Group, and completed 35 harrowing missions.
yes, as I remember it was picked on a lot by the germans.
Tex Martin
Though it picked on the wrong guys. And Nazi Germany payed with utter destruction and defeat!
I took a flight on Witchcraft at Lincoln Rhode Island in 2007. I loved the way they do things. This is so hard for them. It is early days. let's get behind the Collings Foundation. So very sad for the relatives. So hard seeing NTSB poking through the debris, but they have their job to do!
Why didn't the pilot take the closest runway to the NW rather and extend the downwind leg on the same runway he took off from?
909 was a great plane and the pilot was a cool dude, i'm just wondering what caused it to veer off to the right.
When it touched down the right landing gear broke
Landing gear hit ils equipment caused the hard yaw
Fortunate Bum, pilot landed 1000 ft short but successfully until the plane struck runway lighting/equipment. My speculation is the landing gear was collapsed by impacting the lighting/equip leading to a loss of directional control.
Once she clipped the wires the pilot has zero control.
Momentum slewed her to the right and hit tank on ground. Fuel immediately ignited to quickly to exit.
My observation only of course. My condolences to all involved.
Bill Bright, the pilot landed 1000 ft short but apparently successful until striking runway lighting/instruments probably taking out landing gear on one side and losing directional control.
Why don't you people wait until the NTSB does their investigation before coming up with unsubstantiated conclusions
@@brianchandler6127 There's nothing wrong in hypothesizing. Most everyone knows nothing is fact until an official report. And even then it could be up to speculation.
It kills me to see a plane with so much history that we will never get back
Them guys will put that thing back together and find out what caused it.
Look at it....The fire got so hot it melted the plane. Plane couldn't withstand that kind of heat. There is the tail and some of the wings and one engine left. They won't be able to determine what malfunctioned specifically. One witness heard the plane going overhead with an engine sputtering. Didn't have enough power to climb.
Ya be suprised what they can determine. Said plane had been de iced Just minutes before take off. There’s no telling. Old plane. But they will find out. Thier the best at that
@@zfgo I've heard of pilots nursing these planes back to base in WW11 on 2 or 3 engines. Seems like they could of gotten by with 3 working easy enough to land.
@@Mike583 I wouldn't say "easy'. Plenty of pilots crashed during "routine" practice flights.
Was b17 comeing in for landing then crashed???