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 killed in the 2022 Wings Over Dallas Airshow midair collision, is suing the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) for negligence, seeking over $1 million.
The lawsuit alleges that the CAF's negligence, including allowing an "unsafe, unqualified air boss" to direct the event, directly caused the fatal crash.
Specific allegations are made against air boss Russell Royce for failing to maintain control of flight paths, ensure adequate aircraft separation, and conduct proper preflight briefings.
Both the plaintiffs and defendants are awaiting the conclusion of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation and its final report.

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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.