Apparently the B-17 Liberty Belle crashed around 0930 this morning after taking off from a field near Chicago. All 7 onboard apparently escaped injury after a fire was reported shortly after takeoff. The plane apparently landed near Oswego, Il. Initial news report link is HERE
This is truly sad, as the Belle was one of the last flying B-17s in the world, but I’m glad everyone got out safely.
Oh that just sucks! Looking at the pic of the wreckage I don’t see how they’ll fix that. Maybe they can now days. Just wow. That was my favorite all time bomber too.
I understand that there are only a dozen left flying.
Video show everything from inboard engines and nose to waist gunner positions destroyed.
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/B-17-Bomber-Crashes-in-Suburbs-123748444.html
What a terrible loss. Happy all aboard got out.
Man.. that sucks… I saw one of them up close at Lawrence airport a few years back and one flew over my boat back in the 90’s when I was out in Beverly Harbor..what an amazing aircraft.
Sorry to hear – glad all are okay, though.
Oh, damn.
I’m glad all aboard are all right!
From the EAA Warbirds Director: “The Pilot in command was a good friend of ours, John Hess who is a Delta Captain. Co-pilot is retired Delta pilot. They experienced an in flight fire, John landed in a field allowing everyone to exit the aircraft without injury. The field was not accessible by fire equipment, so they had to stand back and watch it burn.”
If they can find the data plate, the rest can be rebuilt. I hope, someday…
and my apologies, here’s the link! http://www.eaa.org/news/2011/2011-06-13_liberty_belle.asp
That sucks. I’m glad everybody on board walked away.
Glad everyone got out, but damn!
Aw, man…
Wow. I bought a ticket to ride in her. A worthy experience. A sad ending.
Groundhog- It does… now down to less than 10 flyable.
North- See above
WSF- Just saw it, it’s a strike.
Pissed- It IS!
Guffaw- Concur!
Wing- Thanks for the update.
Andy/Keads/Murph- Yep…sigh
A sad loss, the only upside is that no one was injured or killed.
TOTW- This is true!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/video/video.php?v=138060899562915
I pray for the Yankee Air Force B-17 and crew everytime they fly overhead. Last year we quite a few.
Sorry, I guess that video isn’t public. So I reposted it it on my blog:
http://apps.bonderenka.com/Blog/?e=66990&d=06/13/2011&s=His%20eye%20is%20on%20the%20sparrow
A few years ago I got to ride in the ONLY flying B-24 and asked out loud, “Why are they taking the risk of wrecking this airplane?”
What a shame. But it’s simply not worth the risk to fly these pieces of history when they can be lost forever.
Fifi?
Seems it’s always on the ground with engine glitches. What if those engines catch fire in flight?
You can read/see photos of my experience here, here, and here.
Glad everyone got out safe, but it is sad to hear it crashed.
McThag- very true, glad you got to have the experience!
Ed- Thanks, and that hurts to watch…
GB- I have to respectfully disagree with you. We NEED to have these airplanes get out and get seen (and their stories told), because it is sure as hell NOT being told in school today. Airshows have started many a career in aviation, and I was one of them (for better or worse)…
Supi- that it is.
I was terribly disappointed to hear the tragic news.
I got to see FiFi this past Sunday at Lunken Field in Cincinnati. I hope I have the opportunity for a ride in that grand old plane.
The writer is totally right, and there is no skepticism.