Tragic Collision at Texas Air Show Reveals Inadequate Safety Planning
A fatal collision between two vintage military planes during a Texas air show in 2022 was largely caused by a lack of proper planning and communication, leading to a dangerous reliance on pilots’ ability to simply “see and avoid” each other, federal investigators have determined.
A Bell P-63F fighter, maneuvering in a descent and bank, clipped the left wing of a Boeing B-17G bomber mid-air, resulting in a catastrophic crash that claimed the lives of all six people aboard both planes. The accident occurred near Dallas during a showcase of World War II-era aircraft, leaving the aviation community reevaluating air show safety practices.
Limited Visibility and Inadequate Planning
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators concluded that limited visibility played a significant role in the tragedy. They cited the fighter pilot’s flight path, obstructions within the aircraft cockpits, and the demanding nature of an air show performance as contributing factors hindering both pilots’ ability to see and avoid the incoming aircraft.
According to the NTSB report, the underlying cause was a failure to establish careful separation procedures. The show organizer and the “air boss,” responsible for directing aerial maneuvers using binoculars and a two-way radio, did not conduct a pre-flight briefing dedicated to specific altitude assignments for each aircraft. This limitation resulted in an overreliance on real-time instructions and the standard “see and avoid” strategy, which proved inadequate in this complex aerial display.
H3/> A Surprise to Safety Experts
The NTSB findings align with preliminary conclusions issued in late 2022. Aviation safety experts have expressed surprise at the lack of pre-flight redundancy involving tailored altitudes for different segments of the show. These experts affirm that detailed altitude planning and briefings are standard practice at many similar air shows.
According to a source familiar with the Texas air show’s operations, pilots received only general altitude guidance during a pre-show briefing.
FAA Guidelines In Need of Review
The NTSB’s investigation extended its critiques to include the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The agency was faulted for lacking specific guidance for air show organizers regarding safety procedures and the selection, qualifying, and ongoing supervision of air bosses.
The NTSB has called for the FAA to implement stricter guidelines and oversight practices for air show operations, which draw large crowds and involve high-risk maneuvers.
The NTSB intends to publish its comprehensive report detailing its findings and comprehensive recommendations on Thursday.
The NTSB report highlights a lack of FAA oversight in air show safety. What concrete steps should the FAA take to enhance its regulations and enforcement in this area?
**Interviewer:** Joining us today is Alex Reed, an aviation safety expert.Thanks for being here.The NTSB’s report on the 2022 Texas air show crash is a sobering read. What are your thoughts on their findings,especially the reliance on a “see and avoid” strategy,given the complexity of the maneuvers?
**Alex Reed:**
*Alex Reed’s response*
**Interviewer:** The NTSB also criticized the FAA for lacking specific guidance regarding air show safety. Do you think the FAA bears some responsibility for this tragedy? And what changes woudl you like to see them implement?
**Alex Reed:**
*Alex Reed’s Response*
**Interviewer:** Given these findings,how confident are you in the safety of future air shows? And what message should organizers and attendees take away from this tragedy?
**Alex Reed:**
*guest’s Response*
**Interviewer:** This tragedy has understandably raised concerns about the safety of air shows. Do you think stricter regulations would stifle the excitement and spectacle of these events,or is public safety paramount?