World War II B-17 Bomber Nine-O-Nine, Frequent Visitor to Chicago Executive Airport, Crashes at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut

Collings Foundation B-17 Flying Fortress Nine-O-Nine at Chicago Executive Airport July 2008.

A B-17 Flying Fortress with the markings of “Nine-O-Nine,” a vintage World War II bomber, crashed during an emergency landing at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut Wednesday morning October 2, 2019. The pilot asked for a return to Bradley International Airport shortly after taking off about 9:45 a.m. in the B-17 Flying Fortress, which was showing a malfunction with Engine Four. The control tower asked if the pilot needed an immediate return because there was jet traffic approaching. The pilot replied he needed an immediate return, and the jet traffic was diverted. The B-17 Flying Fortress was cleared to land on Runway 6 with any approach method the pilot needed.

The aircraft crashed into a building on the airfield at 9:54 a.m.while attempting to land at Runway 6. At least five people were killed in the crash.

Thirteen people from the aircraft (10 passengers and three crew members) were among the injured or killed. One person on the ground was injured from the crash. The passengers were possibly part of a flying tour on the aircraft.

Three patients were treated at Hartford Hospital, where they were listed in critical condition. Two other people had less than critical injuries, and one person was reported with minor injuries.

At least two of the patients suffered critical burn injuries.

A member of the Connecticut Air National Guard was a passenger on the flight, and two members of the Simsbury Fire Department were passengers on the plane. The firefighters survived the crash and were transported to area hospitals.

The airport’s de-icing facility and maintenance facility were damaged as the four-engine aircraft, which was manufactured December 15, 1943, came to a stop on the ground. Thick black smoke and flames were seen rising from the crash scene. The town of Windsor issued a warning about the potential contamination of the Farmington River with release of firefighting foam and potential health concerns.

The aircraft was owned by The Collings Foundation and was part of The Wings of Freedom Tour that has frequently toured at Chicago Executive Airport with the markings of the bomber. The “Nine-O-Nine” has been featured on many ground tours and air tours at Chicago Executive Airport.

The aircraft that crashed was marked as the historic Nine-O-Nine aircraft, but the aircraft that crashed today was not used in combat, but was used for air-sea rescue duties and military air transport service. The actual Nine-O-Nine aircraft was scrapped after it was returned to the United States on June 8, 1945. According to the Collings Foundation, the Nine-O-Nine’s first bombing raid was on February 25, 1944 over Augsburg, Germany. The aircraft also made 18 bombing raids on Berlin, Germany.

Wings of Freedom Tour B-24 Liberator, P-51, and B-17 “Nine-O-Nine” at Chicago Executive Airport in July 2011.

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