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"Aluminum Overcast" damaged by gear collapse
The B-17 bomber owned by the Experimental Aircraft Assn. was damaged
yesterday at Van Nuys airport when its main gear collaped. From the videos on TV, you could see its tail wheel firmly on the ground, when the main gear retracted, and the aircraft dropped onto the runway. The crew must had had that sinking feeling about then. It slid perhaps 50 feet or so on its belly. The media seems to like to say it made a belly landing, or a rough landing, but it was apparent that it had already landed, and was simply completing the rollout, and was preparing to turn off when it happened. Anyway, here's a link to their web site, where they have a short description of the incident: http://www.b17.org/ And a typical media story: http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1...129868,00.html I couldn't find the video clip, but I assume it will appear online sometime today. I hope they can get it flying again soon. |
#2
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James Robinson wrote:
The B-17 bomber owned by the Experimental Aircraft Assn. was damaged yesterday at Van Nuys airport when its main gear collaped. From the videos on TV, you could see its tail wheel firmly on the ground, when the main gear retracted, and the aircraft dropped onto the runway. The crew must had had that sinking feeling about then. It slid perhaps 50 feet or so on its belly. The media seems to like to say it made a belly landing, or a rough landing, but it was apparent that it had already landed, and was simply completing the rollout, and was preparing to turn off when it happened. Sad to hear. I hope they get it flying again soon - but most of all I hope the do plan to keep it flying (as opposed to removing it from flying status, as happened to a notable B-17 around here). Yes, these planes are valuable treasures, but some of them need to keep flying. David Herman Boeing Field (BFI), Seattle, WA N6170T 1965 Cessna 150E - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit the Pacific Northwest Flying forum: http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/pnwflying |
#3
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This is THE Aluminum Overcast:
http://www.fairwings.net/modules.php...p=getit&lid=87 HECTOP PP-ASEL-IA http://www.maxho.com maxho_at_maxho.com "James Robinson" wrote in message ... The B-17 bomber owned by the Experimental Aircraft Assn. was damaged yesterday at Van Nuys airport when its main gear collaped. From the videos on TV, you could see its tail wheel firmly on the ground, when the main gear retracted, and the aircraft dropped onto the runway. The crew must had had that sinking feeling about then. It slid perhaps 50 feet or so on its belly. The media seems to like to say it made a belly landing, or a rough landing, but it was apparent that it had already landed, and was simply completing the rollout, and was preparing to turn off when it happened. Anyway, here's a link to their web site, where they have a short description of the incident: http://www.b17.org/ And a typical media story: http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1...129868,00.html I couldn't find the video clip, but I assume it will appear online sometime today. I hope they can get it flying again soon. |
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"James Robinson" wrote in message ... The B-17 bomber owned by the Experimental Aircraft Assn. was damaged yesterday at Van Nuys airport when its main gear collaped. Didn't Nine-O-Nine have a landing gear collapse at Van Nuys a few years ago? I remember getting their newsletter about it but a websearch brings up mainly the original WWII plane. -c |
#5
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Didn't Nine-O-Nine have a landing gear collapse at Van Nuys a few years ago?
9-0-9 had a long landing incident in PA where it went off the end of the runway. Its repairs took more than a year. VL |
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On Thu, 06 May 2004 13:42:11 -0700, David H wrote:
Sad to hear. I hope they get it flying again soon - but most of all I hope the do plan to keep it flying (as opposed to removing it from flying status, as happened to a notable B-17 around here). Yes, these planes are valuable treasures, but some of them need to keep flying. David Herman Boeing Field (BFI), Seattle, WA N6170T 1965 Cessna 150E - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit the Pacific Northwest Flying forum: http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/pnwflying I know that the airplane's name "Aluminum Overcast" is meant to imply a large airplane, but during WWII, it meant something entirely different. The fighter pilots had be carefull about flying underneath the bomber formations because there was considerable danger from being hit by falling parts from all the bombers being blown apart. They called it the "aluminum overcast." Corky Scott |
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I know that the airplane's name "Aluminum Overcast" is meant to imply
a large airplane, but during WWII, it meant something entirely different. The fighter pilots had be carefull about flying underneath the bomber formations because there was considerable danger from being hit by falling parts from all the bombers being blown apart. They called it the "aluminum overcast." Corky Scott The first time I saw a B-24 in the air, I got 'target' fixation. The big silvery beast was so awesome in appearance, I forgot about the closure rate (albeit slow) when joining up on the wing. I had to shove my nose down to avoid co-mingling aluminum parts. I just kept thinking "Wow, all that aluminum would make a lot of pots and pans". VL |
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James Robinson wrote in message ...
The B-17 bomber owned by the Experimental Aircraft Assn. was damaged yesterday at Van Nuys airport when its main gear collaped. Am I the only one who finds it a bit "suspicious" that both main gear collapsed on this bird? If I recall correctly, they are two independant systems. The common link would be in the cockpit... right next to the flaps switch. Anyone else think that perhaps the gear were inadvertantly retracted (pilot attempting to retract flaps) rather than a mechanical failure...??? -Pat |
#9
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Pat ) wrote:
Anyone else think that perhaps the gear were inadvertantly retracted (pilot attempting to retract flaps) rather than a mechanical failure...??? As someone who has just started flying a retractable gear aircraft, I admit that I thought that, too, since grabbing the correct handle is always on my mind. But, since my speculation tends to be incorrect, I quickly thought of something else. -- Peter |
#10
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Pat wrote: James Robinson wrote in message ... The B-17 bomber owned by the Experimental Aircraft Assn. was damaged yesterday at Van Nuys airport when its main gear collaped. Am I the only one who finds it a bit "suspicious" that both main gear collapsed on this bird? If I recall correctly, they are two independant systems. The common link would be in the cockpit... right next to the flaps switch. According to the Pilot Training Manual, the gear activation switch is located between the recognition light switches and the landing light switches. It is not particularly close to the flap switch. The flap switch is isolated, is not part of a row of switches (as is the gear switch), and it has side guards to make it easy to differentiate between it and other controls. Personally, I think the LG switch should be the one that's isolated and guarded, but .... Anyone else think that perhaps the gear were inadvertantly retracted (pilot attempting to retract flaps) rather than a mechanical failure...??? I doubt it. I think an electrical problem is much more likely on a 60 year old plane. George Patterson If you don't tell lies, you never have to remember what you said. |
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