Seven people died in a vintage WWII plane crash at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks on Wednesday.
Upon landing, the plane, which is registered as a B-17G, crashed into a de-icing facility just before 10 a.m. and erupted into flames.
The victims
In total, state police said 14 people were injured or killed in the B-17 crash.
On Thursday, police released the names of those who died:
- Ernest McCauley, 75 - Pilot, from Long Beach, CA
- Michael Foster, 71 - Co-Pilot, from Jacksonville, FL
- David Broderick, 56 - passenger from West Springfield, MA
- Gary Mazzone, 66, - passenger from Broad Brook, CT
- James Roberts, 48 - passenger from Ludlow, MA
- Robert Riddell, 59 - passenger from East Granby, CT
- Robert Rubner, 64 - passenger from Tolland, CT
There were 13 people aboard the plane. Three of them were crew members and 10 were passengers.
Seven of the people on board were killed, including pilot Ernest McCauley.
There were 13 people aboard the plane. Three of them were crew members and 10 were passengers.
Seven of the people on board were killed, including pilot Ernest McCauley.
The Vernon Police Department identified one of the victims as retired Capt. Gary Mazzone. It said it received confirmation of Mazzone's death on Wednesday night. He was a member of the department for 22 years before becoming an inspector within the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice.
Another victim was Rob Riddell, a WWII enthusiast. His family said he died doing what he loved. CLICK HERE for more.
Two airport employees were inside the building at the time of the crash. One was injured. A firefighter was also hurt while battling the fire.
The victims were taken to three different area hospitals, including Hartford, St. Francis, and the Bridgeport Hospital Burn Unit.
During a Hartford Hospital news conference on Thursday afternoon, it was revealed that three victims were released from the hospital. One person remained there and two others were transferred to the burn unit in Bridgeport.
All of the surviving victims had been connected with their families.
Police released the names of those injured in the crash:
- Mitchell Melton, 34 - Light engineer on B-17, from Dalehaff, TX
- Andy Barrett, 36 - passenger from South Hadley, MA
- Linda Schmidt, 62 - passenger from Suffield, CT
- Tom Schmidt, 62 - passenger from Suffield CT
- Joseph Huber, 48 - passenger from Tariffville, CT
- James Traficante, 54 - passenger from Simsbury, CT
Simsbury officials confirmed two volunteer firefighters were aboard the B-17 at the time of the crash. Hospital officials confirmed one firefighter was brought to the Bridgeport Hospital burn unit. Their conditions were not released.
A member of the Connecticut Air National Guard was also a passenger on the B-17 at the time of the crash and was injured but has been released from the hospital.
Troopers said any immediate family members only looking for information on the crash can call the Connecticut State Police Message Center at 860-685-8190.
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