Is it true that the ship later floated back, falling leaf style, by
itself to earth with some significant damage but was later repaired?

Darryl

Yes, I believe that Venti did fly again, but I didn't put it back
together!

I did put an LS-3 back in the air after a bail-out, but it flew with
other wings that came from a wind-shear accident in Texas.

Most abandoned ships will come down in a falling leaf-type maneuver
due the the extreme aft CG that resuls from the pilots premature
departure. The ship's flying at EWCG, usually about 22", rather than
about 10".
JJ