National Guard's James Traficante Hailed As Hero In B-17 Crash

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT— U.S. Air National Guard Chief Master Sergeant James M. Traficante boarded the Boeing B-17 World War II bomber Wednesday morning as a passenger. The decorated airman was with nine other passengers in the Flying Fortress, the touring warbird at Bradley International Airport.

Less than five minutes after takeoff, the vintage bomber crashed into a maintenance building at the airport. Traficante was one of the survivors of the fiery mayhem that ensued, and he's being hailed as a hero for his actions after the fatal crash.

In total, 16 people were involved in the crash including 13 people aboard the plane — three crew and 10 passengers, state police said. Seven of those on board were killed and six survived, although three were said to be in critical condition later Wednesday.

Two employees who were in the building struck by the plane both suffered burns and were taken to the hospital after the crash. A firefighter on the ground was injured but was treated at the scene.

Captain Jennifer Pierce told WWLP that Traficante was among those on the plane, and credited him with heroic acts after it hit the ground.

Traficante, commander of the Air National Guard's 103rd Airlift Wing based in East Granby, opened an escape hatch in the plane and did so, the Hartford Courant reported, “with at least one broken arm and a broken collarbone.”

NBC Connecticut quoted the Air National Guard as saying Traficante had his “military-issued flame retardant flight gloves with him during the flight and used them when he opened a hatch on the aircraft, allowing other passengers off the plane after the crash.”

Traficante was taken to the hospital but was later released and was recovering at home, according to reports. A Patch effort to reach him for comment was unsuccessful.

In a statement, Maj. Gen. Francis Evon, the Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard said the Guard was grateful Traficante was safe.

“I ask that you respect his and his family’s privacy as he recovers. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragic accident. We are grateful for our firefighters who responded and who have worked tirelessly in supporting crash and recovery operations. The response to the B-17 crash was a joint effort and a great example of state and local municipalities working together. We will continue to provide support in any way we can," Evon said.

According to the military, Traficante began his military service on active duty as an airlift/bombardment aircraft maintenance specialist in 1984. He later joined the Rhode Island Air National Guard, serving as a crew chief, flight engineer and loadmaster. He’s completed tours at the National Guard Bureau and at Headquarters Air Mobility Command. In 2014, he was named loadmaster superintendent of the 118th Air Squadron, 103rd Airlift Wing. He was named command chief four years later.

Traficante has deployed in support of several operations, including Volant & Coronet Oak, Desert Shield/Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve.

From 1984 until 2013, Traficante received extensive specialized training and completed coursework at several Air Force bases. He’s been assigned to bases in the United Kingdom, Rhode Island, Virginia, California and Connecticut.

Traficante has myriad awards and decorations including the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal.