by james_woods 21 Replies latest social entertainment
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/13/b-17-bomber-crashes-in-il_n_876008.html
This plane was one of the few Flying Fortresses still in operating order and was scheduled for an airshow next weekend.
Pilot reported a fire on board, could not make it back to the field, and had to put it down in a cornfield.
All 7 persons on board escaped, but the aircraft is a total loss.
Sad.
Sad.
Yup. You know, I was (still am, I guess) all for keeping these relics of history in flying condition, but there is always the chance something like this will happen if we keep flying them. I guess I am now thinking we should keep at least one sample of each type on static display like the Smithsonian does.
Glad nobody was injured or worse though.
Yup. You know, I was (still am, I guess) all for keeping these relics of history in flying condition, but there is always the chance something like this will happen if we keep flying them.
Me too.
Glad everyone on board was safe! What a shame about the plane, though. Whenever The Collings Foundation is in our area, my hubby likes to go up for a ride in either a B-17 or B-24. They are quite magestic pieces of machinery!
I was just reminded on an aviation forum (where I got this) that there are about 12-15 B-17s left in flyable or near-flyable condition. There are a few more (a dozen?) that are rough but considered restorable.
This plane seems to be a special loss, though - it did after all (according to the link) make 96 missions over Germany in WW2.
damn!
Several times I have almost made a flight on one of these planes, but couldn't make myself do it. Duct tape and baling wire only works for so long.
Moshe, these planes are rebuilt by licensed Airframe and Engine Mechanics. If you are not licensed, you can't work on them. Okay, the engine caught fire. Mishaps occur in all kinds of aircraft, old and new. It's just a fact that can't be ignored.
When these planes are rebuilt to fly, they are torn down to the bare bones, and totally rebuilt. New wiring, hydraulics, rebuilt framework, and so on. So, technically, they are as safe as any other plane. But, things can go wrong, as in like any other aircraft, and they have to be certified flyable and inspected by the FAA in order to be airworthy.
Now, if it was just a "static display", which is a non-flyable aircraft, used only to exhibit, anyone can work on them. In fact, I am working on a fighter aircraft which will be a static display, and will never fly, but will (when finished) look like it can. It's like having a full sized model airplane. That's where we can use duct tape, and bailing wire.
Hubert
