B-17 crash-lands in Illinois

[IndianaDave]

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[wbraswell]

How sad. Not enough of these old girls left, but, by Golly, after over 65 years, she still brought everyone home.

 

[M29since14]

That would be a heartbreaker to have to stand there and watch. Luckily, no one perished.

 

[sigp220.45]

Here are some "before" photos of the Liberty Belle. I hate to think of what she might look like now:

http://www.libertyfoundation.org/photos-flying.html

 

[madmikeb]

I found some video and it's a sad sight. Here is the link:

B-17 Bomber Crash Lands, Burns Outside Chicago - Video - WLWT Cincinnati

 

[USAFret]

Very sad indeed. My nephew and I flew on the Liberty Belle a couple of years back out of Lawrence, MA. Quite an experience!

 

[BuckeyeChuck]

Ah, so sad. Three years ago this magnificent aircraft came to Rickenbacker outside Columbus for a P-51 fly-in. My then-two-year-old oldest son and I had lunch underneath her starboard wing, and I took pictures of him there.

 

[jeffsmith]

The first time I saw that aircraft it was at the NE Air Museum in CT
It had been wrecked by a tornado and thoroughly destroyed
One of the saddest sights a B-17 fan can see

So I was particularly glad that it was rebuilt and flown again
Today was even a sadder day than the first time I saw her

 

[5Wire]

Nevermind the aircraft, what happened to those on board‽

I answered my own question, they all walked away. Whew! http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...7-plane-crash-pictures,0,3672607.photogallery

 

[rags]

That's real sad. Good that no one was hurt! I went to see it when it was in Dayton a few years back. My Dad is a crew member on the Sentimental Journey out of Arizona.
They also come here every couple of years...

rags

 

[LedFowl]

An online search says there were ten B-17s still flyable.

 

[MKT]

Sad to see this happen but I don't believe this is actually a crash landing. Looking at the pictures in the ChiTown Trib link it looks to be a well executed emergency landing. Looks like most all the damage happened after a safe and controlled stop.

When I first heard a 17 had crashed I envisioned a debris field and carange. The very first picture shows the plane setting up on the gear and one engine aflame, shortly after came the complete meltdown. Kudos to the pilot for getting it back on the ground intact and no one getting seriously hurt.

 

[wheelgun28]

Thats really sad....

Theres an air show not far from my house every summer. One of the planes they have is the B-17. It will fly over my house several times over the weekend. The sound is quite unique to say the least, almost a pleasant lumbering sound. You can pay for a ride in it also.

Heres last years

Westchester Herald: The Wings of Freedom Tour Announce Unique Display at Westchester County Airport

 

[glenncal1]

Like the WWII veterans there are not too many of the WWII aircraft left always sad to see one go. Glad everyone got out safely.

 

[Diamondtreo]

This comes as a personal shock to me as I took a ride in her last year here in Seattle. What a shame to loose such a valuable historical icon. I have worked in the aircraft industry for 30 years but today's military offerings (sort of like today's cars) don't hold a candle to what was produced under WWII conditions.

The Liberty Belle flight was a unique opportunity for me to experience my father's WWII flight history (albeit he flew n a B-24). I was happy to find they had modified the bomb racks by adding a lower attach bracket set to allow for us old fat boys to make the walk from the rear to the cockpit. The view from the nose was incredible, especially leaning out into the plexiglass bubble beyond the fuselage tube. WOW!

I have some pix I took during the flight that I will post later.

John

 

[CW Spook]

The Liberty Belle died doing what she and her sisters always did best...bring home the crew against all odds.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

The Liberty Belle died doing what she and her sisters always did best...bring home the crew against all odds.

A perfect epitaph!

 

[Diamondtreo]

BBC NEWS | UK | Inside a WWII bomber plane

A short video of the Liberty Belle while it was in England with interior & exterior shots.

 

[divn4$]

1 of the only remaining FLYING B-17's crashs and burns.

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[rlsbee]

Such a shame when this happens. I love watching the old war birds. A couple of years ago, a guy attempted to take off with an Avenger and it burst into flames. He got out but was badly burned and the Avenger was a total loss.