Commemorative Air Force Faces Lawsuit in Fatal Midair Collision

The family of the B-17 pilot killed during the Wings Over Dallas WWII Airshow is suing, alleging negligence.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, September 05, 2023 at 04:26 PM ET

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The B-17 ‘Texas Raiders’ from the Commemorative Air Force Gulf Coast Wing. [Courtesy: Jim Allen]

Key Takeaways:

The family of Len Root, one of six men killed in the 2022 Wings Over Dallas airshow mid-air collision, is suing the event organizer, Commemorative Air Force (CAF), for negligence.
The lawsuit alleges that CAF was negligent in hiring an "unsafe, unqualified air boss," Russell Royce (also named as a defendant), who failed to control aircraft flight paths, maintain proper separation, and ensure a safe flight plan.
The NTSB's preliminary investigation, referenced in the lawsuit, noted the absence of altitude deconfliction briefings for the aircraft involved, which plaintiffs argue contributed to the fatal accident.

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The family of Len Root, one of six people killed in the midair collision of a B-17G and a P-63F during the Wings Over Dallas WWII Airshow last year, is suing the Commemorative Air Force, the organizers of the event, for negligence that allegedly caused the death of Root and five other men.

The lawsuit was filed last week in Dallas County, Texas, on behalf of Angela Root, the wife of Len Root, and his daughters, Larisa Lichte, Kendra Hockaday, and Rebekah Lowery. Angela Root was at the airshow and witnessed the crash that killed her husband.