Fri, Aug 06, 2021
The Aircraft Will Remain In Grand Rapids, MI, While The Maintenance Team Returns To Wichita
The B-29 Doc History Restored Tour took a break last week to allow the Doc’s Friends maintenance team to continue to assess one of the warbird’s engines.
“Our maintenance team has spent the past two days inspecting and working on our warbird and we are still not comfortable with the performance of one of the engines on the aircraft,” said Josh Wells, B-29 Doc executive director and general manager, last week. “We’ve made the decision to pause our tour and take a closer look at the engine by having it removed and shipped to the MRO shop for a full inspection. We take the safe operation and meticulous maintenance of B-29 Doc very seriously and stepping back to remove and replace the engine is the right thing to do.”
The aircraft will remain in Grand Rapids, MI, while the maintenance team returns to Wichita, KS, to gather the items needed to remove and replace the engine. The timing of the maintenance operations will depend upon travel and other logistics between Kansas and Michigan.
Meanwhile, all B-29 Doc Flight Experience rides scheduled for Appleton, WI, last week were cancelled and ticketed passengers were notified individually for full ticket price refunds. Doc’s Friends apologized for any inconvenience this decision may cause to B-29 Doc fans and supporters.
“I’m very proud of our flight crew and maintenance teams for their commitment to the safe operation of this historic warbird,” Wells continued. “That commitment means if anyone on our team is uncomfortable with the performance of the aircraft, regardless of the mechanical system, we stop and assess the situation and take further action to ensure that Doc is 100 percent operational. It’s that laser-focused commitment to safety that will ensure we are able to operate this national treasure for years to come.”
While the aircraft is parked at Grand Rapids International Airport, it will be off-limits to the public.
More information will be provided regarding the remainder of Doc’s 2021 tour schedule as it becomes available.
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