'It Sounded Like an 18-Wheeler': Plane Crash in Connecticut

WWII-era B-17 goes down at Bradley International Airport
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 2, 2019 11:40 AM CDT
Updated Oct 2, 2019 2:36 PM CDT
'It Sounded Like an 18-Wheeler': Plane Crash in Connecticut
In this photo provided by Antonio Arreguin, smoke fills the sky after a World War II-era bomber plane crashed, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019 outside Bradley International Airport north of Hartford, Conn. A spokesman for Gov. Ned Lamont confirmed the crash of the B-17 plane.   (Antonio Arreguin via AP)

"It sounded like an 18-wheeler coming down the street and then it got louder," said one witness. Then came the crash and the fireball. A World War II-era plane went down at Connecticut's Bradley International Airport around 10am Wednesday; the plane reportedly slid off the end of runway 6 and into a building, the Hartford Courant reports. WFSB reports there were 13 people aboard and reports say 5 or 6 were taken to the hospital. A state official anonymously tells the AP at least five people were killed; Connecticut Public Safety Commissioner James Rovella confirmed there were fatalities but has not yet given a count.

The airport tweeted that the airport was closed following the accident, which involved a "Collings Foundation World War II aircraft." NBC News reports a vintage WWII aircraft show was underway at the airport at the time. Witnesses recount seeing the B-17 bomber flying extremely low, nearly at treetop-level, before crashing. Officials say the plane had only been airborne for five minutes when it indicated it was unable to gain altitude and would attempt to return to the airport. (More plane crash stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X