Originally Posted by
Profane Kahuna
Yes, the P-63 hit the B-17. The result is the same.
Originally Posted by
rickair7777
Also why do form flying anywhere near non-participants?
If they can't fly large warbirds safely, I'd rather they keep them in museums.
They can fly formation safely. They didn't fly formation safely. Both are correct.
They were all participants.
The P-63 is a low wing aircraft. In a bank, in a descent, in a left turn to wind up on a heading the same as the B-17, it's not hard to see how the B-17. may not have been seen at all until just prior to impact.
A very simple method of initial separation are altitude asignments, initial points, and turn points at the end of the show run. Boxes. Position calls. Establishing multiple show lines, even if using the runway as a fence. Simple things go a long way; we don't know how many were utilized and how many were violated, and how they were briefed that day, but doubtless that will come out.