The NTSB has confirmed that six people were killed in a collision between two planes at the Wings Over Dallas airshow over the weekend. One of the victims, 67-year-old Terry Barker, was well-known in Keller. The retired pilot for American Airlines was a former member of the Keller City Council.
"Terry was a great guy, he was someone who was a strong fixture in our community here in Keller. He was an Army veteran, a husband, a father, a grandfather...and served on the City Council for four years," said current Keller Mayor Armin Mizani. He describes Barker as a friend who often provided guidance.
The Commemorative Air Force organization has been granted authorization to release the names of all the B-17 Flying Fortress and P-63 Kingcobra flight crews involved. They include Terry Barker, Craig Hutain, Kevin "K5" Michels, Dan Ragan, Leonard "Len" Root, and Curt Rowe.
To honor the crash victims, the town will leave up a display that had been set up for Veterans' Day.
"It's called the Field of Honor. It's a collaboration between the City of Keller and the Keller Rotary Club. Last week, we had a ceremony to honor our veterans. We put out 1776 flags right outside our Town Hall," Mayor Mizani said. It will remain in place for an additional week.
Another victim of the crash has been identified as 66-year-old Len Root, also of Keller. He had worked for American Airlines as a flight management system program controller and a flight director.
The union representing American Airlines pilots, the Allied Pilots Association, is offering counseling for its members today at its headquarters in Fort Worth between 12:30pm and 3:30pm. The organization also offers a 24-hour mental health hotline for its members called Project Wingman at 817-823-7965.
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Not all of the victims were from north Texas. The Commemorative Air Force has chapters and volunteers all over the United States.
The Ohio Civil Air Patrol has identified one of the victims as Major Curtis J. Rowe from the town of Hilliard, a suburb of Columbus.
"Curt and his fellow crew members were lost yesterday while performing an aerial demonstration during Wings Over Dallas in Texas," wrote Col Pete Bowden, Ohio Wing Commander. "Curt's service in Ohio Wing Civil air patrol spans over three decades where he held every aircrew rating possible and earned the Command Pilot Rating. Please take a moment to reflect on the service of Major Curt Rowe as we celebrate his life and contributions to his community, state and nation."
Another fatality was identified by the Commemorative Air Force as a retired United Airlines pilot. Craig Hutain was from Montgomery, northwest of Houston.
The International Council of Air Shows announced Monday that they are taking donations to help the families of those killed in Saturday’s mid-air crash.
In a post on the Commemorative Air Force website, the non-profit said anyone wishing to help families with emergency expenses can do so by designating their donation “In honor or memory of CAF.” They said 100% of every dollar given will go to the families, and will be split equally amongst them.
The ICAS is a non-profit that works with companies like Commemorative Air Force, the company that was responsible for the “Wings Over Dallas” event, and others to establish safety guidelines and pilot training modules for air shows around the world.
The group said it’s offering its “heartfelt condolences” to anyone involved in the crash.
To donate, click here. Make sure to select “Donation in honor or memory of an individual” and type “CAF” as the “Name of Memorialized”.
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