Sad news :(

[Politically Incorrect]

This is sad news for me and the hundreds of others planning on a flight in the B17

http://www.eaa.org/communications/eaane ... pdate.html

[Scottler]

Oh man....how horrible.

[jimclarke]

I saw that on the TV news.  They said they didn't know if it would ever fly again, but hopefully it will.  

Jim

[BFMF]

[Politically Incorrect]

After talking with a few people, it appears the landing gear was damaged, extent still unknown.
They hope it can be repaired and able to continue it's Summer tour.
I hope so I have been looking forward to Sept, when she was scheduled to come to GKT in Sevierville,TN. Already had the $400 set aside for a ride.
Starting next month our local chapter of the EAA was prepared to launch a big advertising campaign, now I guess we wait and see.

[Craig.]

i have seen a pic, the damage isnt that bad when you see it. Internally i am not as sure, but it should be repaired.

[Hagar]

Sad news indeed. At least nobody was hurt.

I don't know the full facts but have to wonder why the gear collapsed in the first place. The only conclusion I can come to is that both main legs were not fully down & locked. This should have been evident from the warning lights in the cockpit. Either the warning lights weren't working properly or they were ignored. I find the latter hard to believe. I'm sure the investigation into the incident will find out. We shall have to wait for the report which might take some time.

It should be possible to repair however bad the damage is. The US restoration industry is second to none & many skilled people are involved. They can create parts from scratch if need be but all this costs plenty & takes time. The B-17 is a large aircraft compared with most warbirds. The main worry will be the engines & props. The parts should be available but these are usually expensive. In the end it all comes down to money & time.

[chomp_rock]

What a shame

[ozzy72]

Like Hagar says the US have some of the best people in the business. I'm sure the 17 will be up and flying again soon, leaving another generation with eyes the size of soup-plates as she buzzes and wows the crowds.

[Scottler]

If I recall, she was here last year.  I'm trying to remember which old bomber was in town.  I'm 99% sure it was the 17...

As for the gear, I thought the article said she had a hard landing...this could have easily damaged the gear to a point of collapse.

[Woodlouse2002]

It would have been a bloody hard landing to collapse the gear. Infact, it would almost have had to have been a crash. I'm with Hagar on this. The gear probably wasn't locked in the first place.

[Politically Incorrect]

Me TOO! That was my first thought also, not locked. I have read and heard many stories about this happening to 3's.
Warning lights don't work, gear is down, but......OOPPPS!
I would like to think that the pilots in these type aircraft would never depend on a "light,buzzer etc"

[Hagar]

There is also the possibility that the gear operating lever slipped or was accidentally knocked into the retract position. It wouldn't be the first time this has happened. I'm not sure that the B-17 has microswitches on the gear legs to prevent the gear being retracted on the ground as fitted to later aircraft.

[Pinchaser...]

7 remain airworthy after this, correct? I have walked through "Sentimental Journey" and it was amazing.

[Scottler]

Reading the article again, I didn't read what I thought I did.  It doesn't say anything about a hard landing.  I swear I thought I read that.  lol