TEXAS-(MaraviPost)-At least six flight crew members have died after a historic World War II heavy bomber and fighter plane collided midair during the Commemorative Air Force Wings Over Dallas show at the Dallas Executive Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the news of the tragedy in a statement adding that Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and a Bell P-63 Kingcobra collided and crashed at 1.20pm.
According to AP, six people were onboard the two planes at the time of the crash, and all six were killed on the scene.
No paying customers were onboard of the flights and the aircraft were flown by highly trained volunteers, often retired pilots.
Several planes were scheduled to do a flyover demonstration Saturday afternoon for a 3-day event in honour of Veterans Day, with hundreds of people gathering to watch the flyover.
The Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson has expressed shock in the tragedy and has sent messages of condolences to the families of the victims.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board will soon launch an investigation into the crash.
The B-17, a four-engined bomber, played a major role in winning the air war against Germany in World War II and with a workhorse reputation, it became one of the most produced bombers ever.
The P-63 Kingcobra was a fighter aircraft developed during the same war by Bell Aircraft but used in combat only by the Soviet Air Force.
The last known major crashes involving a B-17 occurred on October 2, 2019, which claimed at least seven people at an airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
In 2011, 11 people were killed in Reno, Nevada, when a P-51 Mustang crashed into spectators
