Two planes collide in midair at Dallas air show

Update: 2022-11-13 23:59 IST

Dallas: Six people are feared dead after a B-17 heavy bomber collided with another aircraft and crashed during an airshow in Dallas, Texas, a local affiliate of ABC News broadcaster reported on Saturday.

The incident occurred during "America's Premier World War II Airshow," which was reportedly Veterans Day weekend, where guests were to see more than 40 World War II-era aircraft.

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Leah Block, a spokesperson for commemorative air force, told ABC News that she believes there were five crew members on the B-17 and one aboard the P-63.

Soon after the news broke, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, said many details remain unknown or unconfirmed at this time and city authorities continue to provide support.

A number of videos of the mid-air collision were making rounds on Twitter. In the videos, the two aircraft appeared to collide in the air before they both rapidly descended, causing a large fire and plumes of black smoke.

"As many of you have now seen, we have had a terrible tragedy in our city today during an airshow. Many details remain unknown or unconfirmed at this time. The @NTSB has taken command of the crash scene with @DallasPD and @DallasFireRes_q continuing to provide support," Mayor Johnson tweeted.

"The videos are heartbreaking. Please, say a prayer for the souls who took to the sky to entertain and educate our families today," he added.

The US government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation said it was launching a go-team to investigate Saturday's mid-air collision.

"The NTSB is launching a go-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 spokesperson on scene. Team expected to arrive tomorrow. Check Twitter @ntsb_newsroom for updates," National Transportation Safety Board newsroom tweeted.

US media reports said the B-17 is an immense four-engine bomber, and was a cornerstone of U.S. air power during World War II. The majority of B-17s were scrapped at the end of World War II and only a handful remain now. (ANI)

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said on social media on Saturday that there were no reports of injuries to spectators or those on the ground. He said that much about the crash remained unknown or unconfirmed.

"The videos are heartbreaking," he said. "Please, say a prayer for the souls who took to the sky to entertain and educate our families today."

Ms. Block said there were about 4,000 people at the event, which is meant to educate people about World War II history and honor the contributions of veterans.

She said that the group owned the two aircraft involved in the crash, along with more than 180 other planes at 60 locations across the country. About 15 planes were taking part in the event on Saturday.

Christopher Kratovil, a lawyer in Dallas, took his 12-year-old daughter, Kelsey, a history buff like himself, to the air show on Saturday. Mr. Kratovil said his father used to take him to air shows when he was a child.

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