NTSB: Inadequate Planning, Lack of Oversight Contributed to Fatal Dallas Midair

In November 2022, all five aboard a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress, known as Texas Raiders, and the pilot of a Bell P-63F Kingcobra were killed when the fighter aircraft sliced into the bomber, severing the tail during the Commemorative Air Force’s (CAF) Wings Over Dallas airshow. 

The midair collision occurred in front of thousands and was captured on video and in photographs while the bombers and fighters were flying a pattern over the airport infield in front of the grandstands. 

According to the NTSB, the accident occurred as the eight airplanes involved in the performance were completing a repositioning turn, which involved a 90-degree right turn, followed by a 270-degree left turn. 

The P-63F was in a descending left-banked turn when it collided with the B-17G from behind. Both aircraft disintegrated, sending up a ball of fire and black smoke. The B-17 appeared to be sliced in half from just behind the wings. The forward end of the larger aircraft cartwheeled to the ground in flames. 

No injuries were reported on the ground.

NTSB investigators spent months reviewing hundreds of images and videos of the accident, taken from multiple angles. The agency also conducted a visibility simulation study that modeled the flight paths, altitudes, and roll angles of the accident airplanes. 

According to representatives from the CAF, during air shows it is standard procedure to have the bombers at one altitude and location called a show line, and the fighters and liaison aircraft at another altitude and show line. 

Investigators found that although the air boss had conducted the FAA-required preshow briefing, “no deconfliction plan to ensure vertical or lateral separation between airplanes was discussed, nor did current regulations require it," NTSB said. The agency noted "the air boss’s deconfliction strategy was ineffective because the flight paths of the B-17G and the P-63F converged as each pilot maneuvered toward their respective show lines.”

Additionally, the NTSB conducted a simulation of the accident which determined that "the accident pilots had limited ability to see and avoid each other’s airplane due to flight path geometry and out-the-window view obscuration by aircraft structures."

During the air show the air boss, equipped with binoculars and a two-way radio directed the air show pilots’ inflight maneuvers from atop a set of stairs on the airfield. 

In March, the NTSB released the docket of the investigation, which was more than 1,900 pages and included audio of the airboss, Russell Royce keeping up a steady stream of instructions.

The agency interviewed other pilots who were flying during the show, and some of the pilots said they were confused by the air boss’s long stream of instructions.

The NTSB added that at this time, the air show industry lacks standardized terms to impart directives to the pilots, and concluded that a lack of a prebriefed aircraft separation plan and other administrative controls to address predictable risks contributed to the accident.

The agency also found that the FAA and the International Council of Air Shows “had not adequately considered the need to better mitigate the collision risks associated with performances involving multiple dissimilar aircraft.” Other safety issues included a lack of a risk assessment plan, unclear communication directives, the lack of requirements for recurrent evaluations of air bosses, inadequate air show safety assessment, reporting issues within the CAF, and insufficient regulatory oversight.

As a result of the investigation, the NTSB made recommendations to the FAA, the International Council of Air Shows, and the CAF. The final report is expected to be released on Thursday.