Re: Collings B-17 Crash
 

Yes when you have altitude and speed. Don't forget they faced the problem right after the take off and turned back so they were flying at a very low speed. And with 13 people aboard.

Re: Collings B-17 Crash
 

13 people on board is very little in terms of loading. Reports suggest that it was flying with 1 engine out. With low loading like it was likely now, it should pose no problem to fly and climb on 3. To me it seems the pilot got distracted for some reason and did not note the obstacles ahead.

Re: Collings B-17 Crash
 

A preliminary NTSB report: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdfgenerator/Re...=HTML&IType=MA

And a couple of articles about the report:

https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/...gs-b-17-crash/

https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/...7-crash-emerge


It appears that on the return to the airport they hit approach lights 1000 feet short of the runway and hit the ground 500 feet before the runway threshold.

Some interesting comments also on both the number 3 and number 4 engines propeller positions. Also flap positions.

Here is a video on Flying a B-17: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL-zRFEt9lI

Landing procedures start at about the 18 minute mark.

So, did they first feather the wrong engine (#3) instead of #4? Were the flaps set properly for landing?

Re: Collings B-17 Crash
 

The FAA has gotten involved. (NTSB is apparently still investigating.)

FAA ruling (downloadable pdf file):

https://www.regulations.gov/document...001-11089-1673


A couple of stories about the decision:

https://www.flyingmag.com/story/news...s-permissions/


https://www.courant.com/news/connect...fui-story.html

Re: Collings B-17 Crash
 

Overview of NTSB release of Public Docket items:
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/...undation-crash

NTSB Public Docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/TOCPrintable?data=100356

Explanation of some of the findings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3dD98IqEUk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HNsQuLrOqg