The FAA last week ruled the Collings Foundation could no longer accept money from people who wanted to ride on the organization’s World War II aircraft. The ruling included a critical look at the NTSB and the agency’s finding following the October 2, 2019, crash of the foundation’s B-17G, “Nine O Nine” at Bradley International Airport (KBDL) in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Though the NTSB conducted the investigation at the accident site last year, the notice immediately rescinding the foundation’s exemption to carry paying passengers came from the FAA. The agency’s action also halted a Collings Foundation request to renew its current exemption, an action required every two years.
FAA Withdraws Permission for the Collings Foundation Aircraft to Carry Passengers
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA revoked the Collings Foundation's exemption to carry paying passengers on vintage aircraft, halting their renewal request, following the fatal 2019 B-17 crash.
- The FAA cited the foundation's failure to comply with exemption requirements, including an untrained crew chief and the absence of an effective safety management system.
- The investigation uncovered numerous unresolved maintenance squawks, critical engine failures (magneto and spark plug issues), and incomplete maintenance records on the B-17 "Nine O Nine."
- These deficiencies likely contributed to the crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff due to engine problems and resulted in seven fatalities.
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