"Aluminum Overcast" Damaged in Gear Malfunction at Van Nuys

EAA's much-flown Boeing B-17 bomber "Aluminum Overcast," a World War II-era aircraft currently touring the West Coast, suffered significant damage Wednesday when its landing gear collapsed during a landing operation at the Van Nuys, CA, airport.

Media reports indicate that the WWII veteran aircraft had landed without any difficulty at VNY at 1628  (Pacific time) and was completing its 4,000-foot landing roll when both main gear systems suffered some form of collapse -- at very low speed.

The airplane was estimated to be traveling no more than 20 miles per hour at the time and was about to turn off the runway when it lost the main gear.

There were no injuries among the crew or the 6 reported passengers, and all persons aboard safely exited the airplane.

At last report (Wednesday evening), crews were attempting to remove the aircraft from the Van Nuys runway without causing further damage. The full extent of the current damage is not known, but EAA sources see no reason why the aircraft won't be repaired and returned to service if at all possible, though "it's going to be sidelined for a while."

The B-17 was on a repositioning (non-revenue) flight from Edwards AFB to VNY when the incident occurred. The flight crew consisted of Bill Harrison of Tulsa, OK, and Al Malecha of Tucson, AZ. Two unnamed EAA mechanics were also on board.

EAA's B-17 has been flying national tours since 1994, with thousands of people enjoying flights aboard the vintage aircraft and tens of thousands more touring the interior of the aircraft. EAA has owned the airplane since 1981 and spent more than a decade restoring it to full flying condition.

The current B-17 tour began in April was traveling the West Coast and was due to return to EAA Headquarters in Oshkosh, Wis., in mid-July. 

FMI: www.eaa.org