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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Safety Alert For Operators (SAFO) concerning mass aircraft demonstrations at airshows. The alert comes just days before the commencement of EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and follows the fatal accident on November 12, 2022, involving a World War II-era B-17 bomber and a Bell P-63 Kingcobra fighter.
The purpose of the SAFO is to "ensure that appropriate well-defined procedures are established when conducting mass aircraft demonstrations at air shows." The alert references the collision at the Wings Over Dallas airshow that resulted in six fatalities—five on the B-17 and the solo pilot of the P-63 fighter. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary report, there were no altitude deconfliction briefed before or during the flight. The incident underscores "the complexity of mass aircraft demonstrations, and the critical importance of safety protocols to provide separation and enhance situation awareness."
The notice highlights several concerns for mass aircraft demonstrations, including participation by dissimilar aircraft, complex flight patterns such as dog bone-shaped paths, communication protocols, and management requirements. To mitigate risks effectively, the FAA recommends continual assessment by pilots, air bosses, and event organizers to detect emerging safety issues and address them through appropriate measures.
