B-17 Crash??????

[Tony lee]

I only caught the end of the news flash but it sounded like a B-17 crashed and all seven passengers got out ok.

Tony lee

 

[moon puppy]

Heartbreaking!

A vintage World War II bomber crashed and burned in a field southeast of Aurora Municipal Airport this morning, but the seven people on board escaped without injury, according to aviation officials.

The plane was manufactured in 1944 and is registered to the Liberty Foundation in Miami, Fla., Cory said. She believed the plane was the "Liberty Belle," which has been restored by the foundation. The plane was at the Aurora Municipal Airport on Saturday and Sunday, according to the foundation's website.

 

[jknaus]

I dont see it on CNN or CBC Tony. Although they seem to be slow reporting stuff. We had a CT-155 crash just short of the runway on Friday. Both pilots ejected safely.

Lets hope all is well.
James

 

[jknaus]

Well that just sucks. Good thing everyone is safe. Without all the facts though I have to wonder why the pilot tried an emergency landing in a corn field with the aerodrome 4 miles away.
James

 

[Tony lee]

Thanks Pup but what a shame to lose another one.

Tony lee

 

[moon puppy]

Well that just sucks. Good thing everyone is safe. Without all the facts though I have to wonder why the pilot tried an emergency landing in a corn field with the aerodrome 4 miles away.
James

Just guessing but with an engine on fire and passengers, I bet he wanted to get the folks on the ground as quick as possible. Corn field would look mighty inviting in such a situation.

This does raise the question again, at what point do you stop flying these living pieces of history?

 

[Sharkmouth]

This does raise the question again, at what point do you stop flying these living pieces of history?

When they touch the ground, either intentionally or not. It was the right choice. While expensive, the airplane could be rebuilt. There are others which can be used as patterns and some, which are only good for static display, can provide spares of vintage material while the static display gets a prosthetic.

Regards,

 

[moon puppy]

Seeing the damage this one has, and if it's rebuild, very little of it will be original. And understanding the history of it, you wonder how much was original.

but say the USAF Museum gets The Swoose airworthy again, should they risk taking it off and flying it?

 

[Sharkmouth]

Many foundations use their airworthy aircraft to raise funds and awareness for their organizations. Keeping them grounded limits that. With the ability to reverse engineer the German Swallow, the Flying Fortress should be much easier. Keep the real historical aircraft airworthy but only ready, no long flights.

Regards,

 

[Ken Abrams]

but say the USAF Museum gets The Swoose airworthy again, should they risk taking it off and flying it?

IMO no.

We don't have fishing charters using the Mayflower...


I guess if something is privately owned, it's not anyone elses call but the owners but some of these original historical items need to be cherished and protected*.



*again, IMO.

 

[chukw]

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/B-17-Bomber-Crashes-in-Suburbs-123748444.html

Burned away- what's left is a handful of spares.