CLAIM: The Texas Airshow crash was intentional

Question

Some conspiracists on Twitter believe that the plane collision that occurred recently was deliberate.

Answer 1

Conspiracies are difficult to prove, thankfully there is an ongoing investigation regarding the Texas Airshow Crash. In this article posted by ABC News, they explain how there have been several other airshow crashes involving older fighter jets. With this information, it could be speculated that the collision was not deliberate due to the history of air show crashes. As evidence continues to grow, we will not know for sure what happened until the investigation is closed.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/killed-vintage-aircraft-collide-dallas-air-show-93213596

Comments

Using a source, like a reputable news outlet, can provide good evidence to support your fact-check. Given that an ongoing investigation is taking place and no media reports have mentioned the crash to be intentional, this claim would be rated likely misinformation, but more information is needed since it's a developing situation. I wanted to add that one aviation analyst mentioned that wind gust may have played a role in the crash.

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I see you referenced older airshow crashes to justify the idea that mechanical failures are common in these cases. While this is useful, it might help your case to include data on how often mechanical failure versus pilot error happen for airshow crashes. Were there similarities in either models of the aircraft or work practices?

Answer 2

Conspiracies are conspiracies until proven true. This article discusses your statement but does not confirm it. As far as I am aware, there has been no confirmation at all.

https://meaww.com/wings-over-dallas-air-crash-trolls-claim-medical-episode-or-intentional-as-investigation-begins

Comments

Good catch -- the article supporting the claim doesn't actually confirm it. Also, when answering a claim with your own fact-check it is best to provide original sources or add links to further support your fact-check.

Answer 3

While a conspiracy could be the case, it is too early to determine the cause of the crash. Some speculation puts the blame on the blind spot of the P-63, making the crash a complete accident.

https://abc7chicago.com/plane-crash-air-show-dallas-texas-airport-collision/12449443/

Comments

This is a strong answer to the claim. The ongoing investigation indicates that the crash cause isn't known -- whether intentional or not. However, no media outlets have stated that it could be intentional.

Answer 4

Comments from people on the internet are not exactly the tightest pieces of evidence. After reading over the claim and visiting the website that was linked I was able to see that a lot of the things that were being said conspiring about the crash being planned in some way was just relating to how the crash looked from below and how it just "looked intentional". I  was able to find a source that explains why what went wrong, went wrong.

https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/inadequate-planning-cited-for-deadly-mid-air-collision-at-2022-dallas-air-show-ntsb/