Sad news for warbird enthusiasts

For those of you who are into WWII aircraft, as I am.... the '909 (B-17 Collings Foundation) has crashed at the Hartford Airport while trying to land this morning. From the photos of the smoke and flames, it'll be a miracle if people weren't killed. I'm sure the B-17 will be a total loss.

 

I’m with you on the warbirds. A horrible loss, and now it seems 7 dead. All irreplaceable.


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Apparently there were some survivors. (!)

They had trouble with the # 4 engine after takeoff and were doing an emergency return to the runway when they clipped some electronic navigation antennae and got spun off-course and slammed into the de-icing building. Of course, since it was the first take-off for them of the day they were full of aviation fuel. Apparently the guy in the tail-gunner position was able to get a door open and get some of the people onboard off before the whole thing went up.

So sad, so so sad.