Early Analysis: Wings Over Dallas Midair

UPDATE: The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report (CEN23MA034) regarding the investigation into the mid-air at the Wings Over Dallas Airshow of a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (N7227C) and a Bell P-63 Kingcobra (N6763).

AOPA Air Safety Institute Senior Vice President Richard McSpadden reviews the report in ASI’s Early Analysis update.

In this Early Analysis update, the AOPA Air Safety Institute reviews the NTSB’s preliminary report on this accident. The video highlights important sections of the report that sheds some light on the mishap and also generates new questions in this accident investigation.

Original Early Analysis Video of this Accident

On November 12, 2022, a Bell P–63F Kingcobra and a Boeing B–17G Flying Fortress collided midair during the 2022 Commemorative Air Force Wings Over Dallas WWII Airshow at Dallas Executive Airport in Texas. No one on the ground was injured. Sadly, all six people aboard the two airplanes died in the crash. Both WWII vintage airplanes were part of the Commemorative Air Force that produced the airshow.

Early Analysis: Wings over Dallas Midair, the AOPA Air Safety Institute (ASI) makes a preliminary assessment of the accident, addressing notable portions of the tragic flight and highlighting areas the NTSB will likely investigate to determine a probable cause.

• Read AOPA news media coverage of this accident.
• Visit ASI’s Collision Avoidance Resource Center.