Investigation Summary
The accident occurred during a 'bomber parade' sequence involving multiple vintage aircraft. The air boss directed the fighter formation, which included the P-63, to transition to a trail formation and fly in front of the bomber formation. This required the fighters to descend and increase speed. As the P-63 pilot initiated a steep left-hand banked turn to align with the 500-foot show line, the B-17 was positioned in the P-63's blind spot, obscured by the cockpit structure and the aircraft's wing. The air boss had not assigned specific altitudes to the different formations, relying instead on 'see-and-avoid' principles and real-time radio directives. Because the fighters were descending through the altitudes occupied by the bombers without vertical separation, the margin for error was eliminated.
Final Conclusions
The NTSB determined the probable cause was the air boss's and air show organizer's inadequate prebriefing, which relied solely on real-time deconfliction and see-and-avoid strategies. This lack of structured altitude separation allowed for the loss of separation between the aircraft. Contributing to the accident was the lack of FAA guidance and oversight regarding air boss qualifications and air show safety risk assessments.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
NTSB Animation - In-Flight Collision During Air Show Accident Animation — Official NTSB reconstruction of the mid-air collision between the B-17 'Texas Raiders' and a P-63 Kingcobra, featuring ADS-B data and air boss radio communications.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum Texas Raiders — Boeing B-17G-95-DL · N7227C
American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum Kingcobra — Bell P-63F-1-BE · N6763
Systems & Failure Modes
See-and-Avoid
The primary method of collision avoidance used during the show, which failed due to the P-63's high bank angle and cockpit visibility limits.
ADS-B
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast data was used by investigators to reconstruct the precise flight paths and altitudes of the aircraft.
Air Boss Communications
The radio system used by the air boss to provide real-time tactical direction to the pilots in the absence of a pre-planned flight program.
Interesting Facts
- 01The B-17G, 'Texas Raiders', was one of only a few airworthy Flying Fortresses remaining in the world.
- 02The P-63F was a rare variant of the Kingcobra, with only two of its kind ever built.
- 03No altitude deconfliction was discussed during the morning pilot briefing.
- 04The air boss did not provide specific altitude assignments during the performance, which was his standard preference.
- 05The collision occurred at a low altitude of 220 feet, leaving no time for recovery or egress.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Altitude Deconfliction Requirements
Source ↗The NTSB recommended that the FAA require air show organizers to implement formal altitude deconfliction plans for all formation flights.
Air Boss Oversight
Source ↗Recommendations were made to standardize air boss training and ensure FAA oversight of their qualifications and performance.