Safety report reveals little on deadly vintage WWII plane accident

The fuel in a World War II-era plane that crashed earlier this month was not contaminated, according to a four-page preliminary report issued Tuesday by the National Transportation Safety Board. 

The report also found that wind conditions were tame at 9:53 a.m. on Oct. 2, when the fatal incident occurred. 

The Boeing B-17 crash at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut killed seven people, including two pilots and five passengers. There were an additional five serious injuries and two minor ones.{mosads}

One of the pilots had told air traffic control he wanted to return to the airport shortly after takeoff when the plane was about 500 feet above ground. He said he did not require assistance but that the plane had a “rough mag” on the No. 4 engine. 

The wind was “calm,” and the tower controller cleared the flight to land.

The safety board report’s witness statements and airport surveillance confirm the airplane struck approach lights about 1,000 feet before the runway and contacted ground about 500 feet prior to the runway. The plane veered right off the runaway before colliding with vehicles and a tank of deicing fluid. 

The preliminary report also noted that the majority of the cabin, cockpit and right wing were consumed by the post-impact fire. 

The wreckage was retained for further examination, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. 

The B-17 was owned and operated by the Collings Foundation, an educational foundation centered on transportation-related history.