FAA Issues New Safety Protocols for Aerial Demonstrations

The agency's risk-mitigation recommendations stem from the findings of a probe into a 2022 midair collision at a Dallas airshow.

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 02:34 PM ET

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A B-17G Flying Fortress and a B-52H Stratofortress fly in a heritage flight formation on Saturday, May 13, 2006 during the Defenders of Liberty Airshow at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

Following a deadly 2022 midair collision at the Wings Over Dallas airshow, the FAA is mandating "appropriate well-defined procedures" for aircraft demonstrations.
The NTSB investigation found a critical lack of altitude deconfliction briefed before or during the flight, contributing to the collision of the dissimilar aircraft (B-17G and P-63F).
The FAA's Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) outlines risk mitigation measures, including requirements for experienced personnel, detailed written flight plans, mandatory briefings, strict adherence to plans, and clear separation protocols to enhance safety and situational awareness.

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The FAA is calling for “appropriate well-defined procedures” during aircraft demonstrations following an investigation into a deadly midair collision of a Boeing B-17G and a Bell P-63F during a 2022 airshow in Texas.

The aircraft were participating in a parade of airplanes in front of thousands of spectators at the Wings Over Dallas airshow when they collided, killing all six on board.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.