Tragedy’s Long Shadow

On 02 October 2019, seven people perished when a World War II-era Boeing B17 Flying Fortress dubbed Nine-O-Nine went down minutes after departing Windsor Locks, Connecticut’s Bradley International Airport (BDL). At the time of the accident, the aircraft—then participating in the Wings of Freedom Tour—was carrying ten passengers who’d purchased rides aboard the historic bomber.

Prior to its impact with the ground, the accident-aircraft’s pilot reported issues with one of the aircraft’s four radial-engines. The National Transportation Safety Board, in 2021, ascribed the accident to the pilot’s actions, questionable maintenance of the accident-aircraft, and ineffective safety management protocols.

Comes now 2023, and a settlement has been reached between the downed B-17’s operator, a number of the accident’s six survivors, and families of the deceased—so stated attorneys representing eight of the ten passengers either killed or injured in the mishap.

Though details of the settlement remain undisclosed, attorneys for both parties collaborated in the composition and dissemination of a statement setting forth in part:

“ … After mediation before retired Judge Robert Holzberg of Pullman & Comley LLC, The Collings Foundation, Debra A. Riddell, Craig A. Rubner, Scott Rubner, Joseph M. Roberts, Joseph Huber, Jenny Huber, Thomas Schmidt, Linda Schmidt, and Joan Mazzone announce[d] the resolution of all claims arising out of the tragic crash of the B-17 known as Nine-O-Nine at Bradley International Airport on October 2, 2019. While it is our sincere hope that this resolution brings peace and closure to those affected, The Collings Foundation deeply regrets the injuries and losses suffered by the passengers and their families that day.”

The Wings of Freedom Tour was sponsored by The Collings Foundation.

Court documents dating back to 2021 chronicled the reaching of a compromise between The Collings Foundation and passengers Andrew Barret and James Traficante.

FMI: www.collingsfoundation.org