A terrible loss of a B17 today...

[John Milmont]

Vintage World War II bomber makes emergency landing - chicagotribune.com

They managed to land the plane safely and the crew escaped, but once that much fuel gets ignited, there's not much you can do.

This happened not far from where I live. I have seen this particular B-17 right over my house and I have always ran outside to see it when I hear those 4 radial engines turning...

 

[John Fitzpatrick]

What a shame, but those guys' putting it it between two towers with an outboard engine out, landing intact in a corn field, and getting everyone out alive has got to be comparable to Sullenberger's crew's successful ditching in the Hudson.

 

[domtoni]

Great action on the part of the pilot and crew !!

 

[Malcolm]

If that were a GT40 there would be more real GT40's not less after a landing like that. Give the remains to Sbarro and he will sort it.

Shame to see a historic plane down.

 

[David Morton]

How sad to lose such an incredible machine. That there were no fatalities was a tribute to the driver.

 

[Ron Earp]

Damn. I'm sorry to see she crashed. Here is my dad and I when she came down to the local airport that I fly out of with the flying club. My dad and I along with Jeff Young went down to fly on her in August of 2009. Sadly #2 engine would not start and flights were postponed for the day. A beautiful aircraft.

Looks like the report mentions a left wing engine being on fire. Might have been that troublesome #2.

RIP.

 

[Thierry B]

As we says in french "c'est une serie noire...."

A B25 Mitchell has crashed on 31 may near Paris (Melun Villaroche).
no injuries. but the plane is destroy.


http://www.leparisien.fr/seine-et-m...s-ecrase-pres-de-l-a5b-31-05-2011-1475075.php

Pics here :
http://gsirius.bookfoto.com/index.php?ac=book&gr=0&id=136064

 

[Mike]

I believe I read that it was the #1 engine that was on fire. A picture in this morning's paper also showed flame coming out of the #1 cowling after it had landed, before it burned up completely. Must have been bad enough that they were worried about the fire burning through the wing? Or perhaps some other driving factor? Obviously the airplane, light as it was/no bomb load etc. would have no problem whatsoever flying on three for a while even if the engine was on fire. Evidently the fire bottles didn't work too well either.

 

[DRONE]

The aircraft had a fuel leak in the number 2 nacelle this past weekend and did not fly. I have heard it was the sump drain but I cannot confirm that. It would appear that whatever repair was done not satisfactory. There is on board fire detection and extinguisher system but it would have been forward of the drain in the engine and accessory section so not of much use in this sad situation.
There was a T-6 flying alongside and the ATC tape you can barely hear the pilot warning the B-17 to put it on the ground. Also about the same time the crew was also warning the pilot. Nice wheel down landing in a soft wet field.
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Of the seven abroad, one guy bumped his head while exiting the a/c. Everybody else got out ok.
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When a/c like this are on tour, there is always pressure to stay on schedule. I am wondering if “I gotta get there” mentality has claimed another.
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The old saying that “You can’t have too much fuel on board unless you are on fire” proved to be true.
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I’m sure somebody somewhere is making plans to rebuild her since it is such a valuable a/c.
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[domtoni]

From ABC News in Chicago:

Crews removing bomber wreckage from Oswego field | Video | abc7chicago.com

 

[John Fitzpatrick]

Most of what I've read has been eye witness statements that turned out to be incorrect or speculation by reporters. I suspect that the lawyers have shut up anyone directly involved. What's pretty clear in the photos is that the prop on the number 2 engine was feathered at some point before the gear collapsed. For anything definitive concerning the cause(s), it's probably better for the talking heads to wait for the NTSB investigation report.

I'm pretty sure the aircraft below was a victim of flack, but it's an example of why you land as soon as conditions permit in any emergency.

 

[David Morton]

A bit like the Air France from Rio, everthing will be revealed after the facts are established. Fire is probably the most frightening thing in the air and even on the ground (I've been in a hotel and a house fire, plus a couple of smoke in the air incidents) and its a tribute to companies like BA who take fire training incredibly seriously with practical training on real fires and rescuing life size dummies from smoke filled dark simulated fuselages- other companies I worked for just talked about it in a classroom and had no practical training facilities.
John is on the money - Forget speculating - it proves nothing except you have a computer and internet.

 

[David Briggs]

Beautiful old bird, hopefully will be resurrected.
Dave

 

[OhioMark]

Looks too far gone Dave but I hope you're correct!

 

[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

I have this original B17 and am having it restored.....my GT40 started with less!

 

[David Morton]

Rick - you'll have to bin them. For aeroplane work you need a different type of bolt to that along with all the original paperwork proving the source and manufacturer. Sorry to spoil your project so soon....

 

[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

Rick - you'll have to bin them. For aeroplane work you need a different type of bolt to that along with all the original paperwork proving the source and manufacturer. Sorry to spoil your project so soon....

David,

Do you mean to tell me that b@stard sold me a bogus bolt! I was assured that it was an original Boeing pilot relief tube retaining bolt! Next thing you'll tell F. Sbarro sold me some old tat that is allegded a GT40?!?!?

And the "paperwork" for genuine replacement Boeing parts hasn't stopped a thriving business in counterfeit aero parts. I recall seeing a TV documentary where bolts were tested and not only didn't meet AN standards but probably were no better than the local hardware/ironmongers bolt bin. Hey, they only hold the wings on!

 

[David Morton]

I'm afraid such people have no scruples. See if the silver paint comes off and it might be rusty underneath. If it is, then it's made in India. Everything in India is rusty or about to be.

 

[domtoni]

Rick, and because the bolts have to pass a certain standard, they are a heck of a lot more expensive than the average and better bolt you can buy at the local hardware store !!