Tue, May 11, 2004
EAA's B-17 Could Fly Home
Damage assessment of EAA's B-17 Aluminum Overcast continues at
the Van Nuys Airport in California, where the vintage World War II
aircraft suffered a landing gear failure after safely landing there
last Wednesday, May 5. The immediate goal is to determine what
repairs are necessary to the B-17, which is currently on the Van
Nuys ramp awaiting available hangar space.
EAA Museum Director Adam Smith, who has been in close contact
with EAA maintenance officials on the scene, said some recently
obtained video footage shows the entire incident from approach to
touchdown, roll-out, and gear collapse.
"We are using that new video to help us understand exactly what
happened," he said. "Our emphasis, naturally, is on the landing
gear and discovering why it malfunctioned."
The damage to the Flying Fortress is pretty obvious to anyone
who has seen the video or photographs, Smith said. "We are
assessing our options. But we don't feel we are finding anything of
major concern beyond what is obvious in the photos and video that
have been circulating since the incident."
As expected, there is some propeller damage, with inspections
continuing to the airplane's four engines. On the bright side, the
damage to the underside of the fuselage was not as heavy as first
feared, further cementing the B-17's 60-year reputation as an
extremely rugged airframe.
No timeline has been set for completion of the aircraft
inspection or repairs.
A number of people have asked whether they can go to the site
and see the airplane, but Smith stressed that the site is not
publicly accessible. EAA continues to receive calls and e-mails
from members and enthusiasts from throughout the country, offering
everything from repair assistance on the airplane to monetary
donations.
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