Once airborne, McCauley sought to return to the airport but did not declare an emergency, the lawsuit alleges. Nothing has changed since taht time. We are looking to get answers, looking for accountability and most importantly looking to make sure this never happens to another family.. participating in the operations, the passengers on board the aircraft, and The Collings Foundation takes World War II-era planes on tour and runs the American Heritage Museum in Hudson, which it opened after receiving a large donation of military vehicles in 2013. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Choose wisely! Despite issues with an aircraft that was built in 1944, the FAA said it recently received over 1,500 comments in support of a federal waiver that would allow Collings to continue to fly nearly a dozen of its historical aircraft. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. It is 100% the fault of maintenance personnel. According to the ADS-B data plot, the aircraft was a little more than 2,000 feet from the approach end of Runway 33, directly off the stricken aircrafts right wing at this point in the flight. The plane did crash, veering off the runway and striking several vehicles along with a deicing fluid tank. However, the examination of the No. The initial investigation revealed that the number 3 engine also had fouled spark plugs, with gaps out of tolerance. 3 and 4. There were 13 people aboard. I was part of these programs some years ago and have first hand knowledge of how it goes. And it was dicey then. Success! The families of the victims filed a lawsuit against the Collings Foundation in June of 2020. . its NOT maintenance, its 1930s tech and planes designed only to last 30 hours. New lawsuit filed in vintage plane crash that killed 7 at Bradley. The flight departed Runway 6 at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, and reported intent to return to the airport soon after being handed over to departure control, still on a right crosswind. The other pilot, Ernest "Mac" McCauley, reported a problem with one of the engines shortly after takeoff, and the plane crashed into a maintenance building and burst into flames after striking the runway lights during a landing attempt. I also think that while a waiver might absolve or reduce the operators legal liability, it wont deter very many customers. A Lancasters expected life was 14 missions, not necessarily because it lacked robust design in parts or engineering, it had a great deal to do with being SHOT AT from the ground and from the air, almost each time it went out on a mission, often for extended periods, and the statistical probability of being shot down, or the ship being so badly damaged it wasnt worth the labor cost to rebuild, factored in to produce a low number like 14 missions. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Revered across the country as vintage aviation preservationists, the father and son behind the nonprofit Collings Foundation, owner of the B-17 that crashed last week at Bradley International . Investigators calculated that it was theoretically possible for the stricken bomber to have returned to the runway from which it had launched, despite the loss of power in two engines. The public docket for the investigation posted online December 9 contains hundreds of pages, including witness interview reports, findings from detailed examination of two of the bombers four engines, and other material that enables a chilling re-creation of the ill-fated flight of the vintage bomber dubbed Nine O Nine. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. I would like to think no. Seven people were killed, and seven others were injuredwhen the World War II-era aircraft crashed while attempting to return to the airport just minutes after takeoff. Share with Us. For years, the most important thing to senior FAA decision makers is How will this play on the front page of the New York Times. In an interview with the FAA on March 2, 2020, the crew chief verified that he received no initial training and was unaware of basic information concerning operations, the report said. Inspection and testing of engine 4 left magneto revealed the movement of the safety-wired lead caused grounding to the case, which rendered the magneto lead inoperative. A lawsuit has been filed against the Collins Foundation by survivors and the families of those killed in the B-17 bomber crash at Bradley International Airport last fall. The lack of training and instruction given the Crew Chief IS just pitiful over-sight and organization management. When the flight crew had trouble starting the engines Oct. 2, the lawsuit claims, the crew chief suggested the flight be delayed so additional maintenance could be performed. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. FAA rules and regulations try to ensure compliance. Further inspection of this engine revealed problems with the cylinders., The FAA noted also that McCauley served as both pilot in command and the organizations director of maintenance, and that, As a result of these findings and other information, the FAA questions whether the engines were inspected adequately and in accordance with the applicable maintenance requirements.. When they were built, they were cutting edgenew designsengine technology pushing it limits, and engine failures were common. Between 2008 and 2018, the annual salary for foundation executive director Robert F. Collings Jr. went from $33,000 to $375,000. Defendants were not truthful about the condition of an Israeli M50 Sherman tank plaintiff purchased for $298,000 at an auction. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. How can they possibly know how well-maintained the aircraft is? In addition, the right magneto of engine 4 was found unserviceable, the agency stated in its decision. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, The suit also names the foundation's auctioneer, Auctions America, as a defendant. In an And when it became apparent the flight was in trouble, the flight crew did not notify the passengers there was a problem or to brace for impact, the lawsuit claims. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. The vintage World War II-era B-17G aircraft was used for theThe Wings of Freedom Tour. To protect the unaware public, perhaps the Warbird community should take a page from the Skydiving Tandem Jump operators. FILED AGAINST: Collings Foundation and its trustees. 2023 www.telegram.com. are looking to buy homes, MA man pled guilty to $30k in state benefits fraud, 3 teens charged after guns and drugs found in Chicopee, Technology in Massachusetts reduces wrong-way crashes, Lotterys January profits soar $40M above 2022, New ride coming to Six Flags New England in 2023, Big decisions loom on school meals, food aid programs, Healey budget shines light on transportation agenda, Healeys first budget themes: Spending increases,, Springfield art museum to display art of Nelson Stevens, Registration for Hooplandia now available, Senate lifts eight-year limit on presidents term, Holyoke Police Sergeant suspended after investigation, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. They were good enough for expectations at the timemost combat aircraft were expected to last only a couple of hundred hours. Many killed ferry pilots who were tasked with delivery. aircraft, although it voluntary paused revenue flights. With this B17 it is obvious that maint. All rights reserved. those that want to fly in one of these rare warbirds. killed in the crash of a World War II-era plane, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Ultimately, the PIC is responsible for determining the airworthiness of the airplane. I believe you are on the right track. The FAA must commit to ensuring more effective supervision to ensure the safety of passengers, crew members, and the public. Ive been around and worked with a handful of organizations that maintain their a/c by the manufacturers certified instructions and FAA regulations (sometimes according to an FAA-reviewed and approved maintenance plan), that use new and properly yellow-tagged parts, and were absolutely willing to tell the public sorry, we cannot fly, the airplane is not ready and needs some work and a check-out. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Representatives of the Collings Foundation declined a request by the newspaper to comment on the new filing, citing ongoing litigation. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. The flight was part of the Wings of Freedom Tour, which was sponsored by the Collings Foundation, a Stow, Massachusetts-based educational nonprofit. The family of one of the victims killed is suing Collings Foundation for gross negligence and recklessness. FAA Rejects Collings Foundation Request To Carry Passengers, Crew-6 Launch Scrubbed For Ground Systems Issue, Joby Wraps Up Second Stage Of FAA Certification Process, The Drip, Drip Of Bad Publicity About 100LL. This shouldnt be the end of the right of people to experience the flight of older aircrafteven when they have acknowledged the danger. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Did pointing out (or even emphasizing) the danger hurt Tandem jumping? Families of victims, along with surviving passengers and estates of passengers, have filed other lawsuits against Collings Foundation since the deadly crash, citing similar negligence claims.. This is to make sure it doesnt happen to another family it doesnt happen to anyone else. require specific training and documentation. This image taken from video provided by National Transportation Safety Board shows damage from a World War II-era B-17 bomber plane that crashed Wednesday at Bradley International Airport, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019 in Windsor Locks. The lawsuit claims the crew did not inform the passengers of what was happening. Planes were rapidly designed and built by people who had never even seen a plane before. Rather than just sign a waiver, most Tandem jump operators require the prospective Tandem jumper to watch a video. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Although the NTSB continues to investigate the crash and has not determined a final cause, the FAAs initial findings found significant maintenance issues with two of the engines. The record up until now of these aircraft on tour has been superbonly in hindsight is the FAA now worried. Web Extra: B-17G crash passengers sue Collings Foundation. The FAA has released SOME of their reasons for refusing to reissue the exemption but not all. Two passengers escaped through a shattered window, while others escaped from the planes rear hatch. Instead, he only received on-the-job training.. Ive flown Aluminum Overcast and Yankee Lady for magazine articlesthe guys do a great job of keeping them airborne. The complaint said several passengers were also seated on the floor and restrained using unfamiliar military-style buckles. Its a absolute given the mags and plugs needed to be Inspected and measured, and at least 1 magneto replaced, but the costs of just *that* level of maintenance are not so expensive, that one would say No One Can Afford to Give Ancient 4 Engine Piston Bombers proper Maintenance Nothing about the 909 crash Ive read in the FAA points to to expensive or too old Rather, I am seeing Callous disregard and Willful negligence at worst, or possibly Laziness , and at the mildest flying too much / too frequently or flying on too tight of a schedule. Another question is what did the pilots know about the condition of those two engines before take-off? Most of these comments were from individuals who cited the historical and sentimental value of allowing living history flights to continue, wrote Robert Carty, deputy executive director of flight standards service at the FAA. Regarding warbirds, at a minimum, only informed passengers should fly on the plane. McCauley rejected the suggestion and pressed forward with the flight. These allegations are damning highlighting numerous safety failures that resulted in injury and death. These aircraft ARE different than something built todaythose engines were built to last a couple of hundred hours AT MOSTgiven their operating conditions. Instead, he only received on-the-job training. (WTNH) A new lawsuit has been filed in the deadly vintage B-17 crash at Bradley International Airport that happened in 2019. Theres a lot of talk about these radial engines going 200 hrs max? The controller asked the pilot if he needed assistance and the pilot responded with negative.. Dont blame it on 1930s tech. In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for the Collings Foundation said the NTSB investigation into the crash remains open and that federal regulations prohibit the foundation from commenting on this matter and disseminating information that is the subject of this investigation.. Policy, the rescission document said. The lawsuit follows the release in April of a final report on the cause of the crash from the National Transportation Safety Board. In the lawsuit filed by Attorney Groher, he argues that the Collings Foundation did not complete a preflight maintenance checklist that would have reasonably noticed that at least two of the engines were essentially nonoperational. While the agency has yet to determine a probable cause, factual reports in the docket create a detailed picture of what happened. For example, the Lancasters expected life was just 14 missions. Among the probable causes for the accident the board cited was pilot error. However, there is a certain amount of trust in performing aircraft maintenance expected. The plane crashed and burned after experiencing mechanical trouble on takeoff. With that said there is no excuse for this type of shoddy care on 80 year old warbirds that fly passengers. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. The Collings Foundation is based in Stow, Massachusetts. risk management program that met or exceeded the criteria specified in the FAA For breaking news and happenings in North Central Connecticut, follow Matthew Knox on Twitter: @MatthewPKnoxJI, and Facebook: Matthew P. Knox JI. In response to the suit, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who is a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, called on the FAA to commit to more effective supervision to ensure the safety of passengers, crew members, and the public.. This situation is like a divorce. Every Thursday get news from local eateries, real life food and drink tips, plus updates on the foodie world from far and wide. In this case I agree with the FAA and the Company should get its act together before they can fly again. The decision was prompted by the FAAs investigation into the crash of the foundations B-17G Nine-O-Nine at Windsor Locks, Connecticut, on Oct. 2, 2019, that destroyed the aircraft and killed five passengers and two crew members. We used to do air shows with the flight line over the crowd. Nor has the Collings Foundation responded. Are COVID Vaccines Injuring Pilots? The plane crashed and burned after experiencing mechanical trouble on takeoff Wednesday morning from Bradley International Airport. Their biggest fear is the question from a reporter How could YOU LET this aircraft crash? Easiest way to prevent accidents?-Prevent aviation. . "This plane should never have been allowed off the ground on the day of this crash," he said. As of a few years ago, there had not been a successful claim against Tandem jumping. A person would be hard pressed to find a good mech. dropped the hammer. 14 UConn's 88-59 win over DePaul Wednesday, Girls basketball roundup: East Hartford, Edens take Class LL tourney opener. 2023 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, NTSB opens docket on Collings Foundation B17 crash, Training and Safety Tip: Startled response. Regarding engine 4, to prevent the magneto P-leads from separating from the magnetos, someone had attempted to rig the magneto leads in place with safety wire. With that said it takes good maint. Be Proactive. No one can afford to give ancient 4 engine piston bombers proper maintenance so that is a given. Read Across America Day: Students, teachers celebrate, Rainy start today with a mix mess late Friday-early, Nyberg Book details growing up as the child of, Hunter accused of shooting, mutilating Connecticut, Detroit Mercys Davis nears Maravichs NCAA scoring, No. Liability, it wont deter very many customers be hard pressed to find a good.... 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Of what was happening at a minimum, only informed passengers should fly on the new,... Controller asked the pilot responded with negative.. Dont blame it on tech. It is 100 % the fault of maintenance personnel injury and death refusing. Not All, they were cutting edgenew designsengine technology pushing it limits, and you are now logged in newspaper. Called Dr. Seuss Day because of this crash, veering off the ground on the new,... New lawsuit has been registered, and engine failures were common California Rights! Prospective Tandem jumper to watch a video when they have acknowledged the danger hurt Tandem jumping California Rights...
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