Six people were killed in a collision at a World War II air show in Dallas, officials said Sunday.
Two vintage airplanes collided mid-air during the Wings Over Dallas event on Saturday, organizers said. The event featured flying demonstrations of WWII fighter planes at Dallas Executive Airport.
Spectators capture a cloud of smoke after a crash at a World War II air display at Dallas Executive Airport on Nov. 12, 2022.
Christopher Gradoville/Twitter
“Officers will continue their investigation today & Identity of Deceased. Please pray for their families and everyone involved,” Dallas District Judge Clay Jenkins said Sunday.
A Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and a Bell B-63 Kingobra collided around 1:20 p.m. local time, the Federal Aviation Administration said. It is unclear how many people were on board the bomber and the fighter jet.
Coinciding with Veterans Day, the airshow is organized by the Memorial Air Force, an educational association focused on U.S. military aviation.
This screen grab from video shows a plane flying down a highway before it crashed at the World War II Air Show at Dallas Executive Airport on Nov. 12, 2022.
Ephraim Badillo
A plume of smoke rises in this screengrab from a video after a World War II plane crash at Dallas Executive Airport on Nov. 12, 2022.
Ephraim Badillo
Commemorative Air Force spokeswoman Leah Black told ABC News she believes there were five crew members on the B-17 and one on the B-63, which is a single-seat aircraft. The Houston-based airline was not carrying paying customers at the time, he said.
According to Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, there were no injuries to spectators or others at the stadium.
In this video screengrab, people are shown at the crash site of a World War II air display at Dallas Executive Airport on Nov. 12, 2022.
WFAA
airport said An “incident” occurred during the show and Dallas Fire and Rescue responded.
Black smoke billowed after the accident. Debris from the plane was also seen littering a nearby highway.
The debris field includes the airport grounds, Highway 67 and a nearby strip mall, Meyer. said.
Spectators capture a cloud of smoke after a crash at a World War II air display at Dallas Executive Airport on Nov. 12, 2022.
Agnes Calca
In this screengrab from a video, debris is shown on the highway after a crash at a World War II air display at Dallas Executive Airport on Nov. 12, 2022.
Ephraim Badillo
Air Force Memorial CEO and President Hank Coates said advice is available to first responders and participants who witnessed the crash.
“It’s very difficult for me to talk about this because I know all these people, they are family and they are good friends,” he told reporters.
It was the company’s seventh airshow in Dallas, and organizers said there were between 4,000 and 6,000 participants and volunteers at the time of the crash.
“This is the first issue we’ve had to deal with,” Coates said.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the collision. Coates said the NSTB will arrive at the scene around 9pm on Saturday and issue an initial report.
“The NTSB has launched a team to investigate Saturday’s mid-air collision between a Boeing B-17G and a Bell P-63F near Dallas, Texas. Member Michael Graham will serve as on-scene spokesman. The team is expected to arrive tomorrow.” The NTSP In a statement.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott called the incident “tragic” during the update. on Twitter Government agencies assist local authorities in responding.
ABC News’ Amanda Maile and Nicholas Kerr contributed to this report.
This is a growing story. Check back for updates.
