NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Fatal Texas Midair Collision

Investigators are scrutinizing altitude deconfliction procedures at the airshow prior to the accident.

Thursday, December 01, 2022 at 01:25 PM ET

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NTSB investigators spent several days mapping out, photographing and marking the debris field of the midair collision. [Courtesy: National Transportation Safety Board]

Key Takeaways:

The NTSB preliminary report on the Wings Over Dallas midair collision found that no altitude deconfliction procedures were briefed before or during the flight.
The fatal collision involved a P-63F fighter striking a B-17G bomber, resulting in six fatalities and the destruction of both historic aircraft.
Despite being directed to fly separate show lines (fighters at 500 feet, bombers at 1,000 feet), the P-63F was observed approaching the B-17G from behind before the impact.

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released the preliminary report on the fatal midair collision between a B-17G and P-63F Kingcobra during the Wings Over Dallas airshow on November 12. According to the NTSB report, there were no altitude deconflictions briefed before the flight or while the airplanes were in the air.

Altitude deconflictions procedures are established in the event pilots find themselves at an improper altitude during the flight.