Investigation Continues Into Gear Collapse

EAA's B-17 Aluminum Overcast has been towed to a hangar today at Van Nuys Airport (CA) where it has been undergoing damage assessment since a gear collapse incident on May 5. "The engines and props have been removed, some more detailed damage assessment has been done, and the airplane is now properly stored in a hangar," said EAA Aircraft Operations Director Sean Elliott. "There the necessary work will be done to allow us to ferry the airplane back to Oshkosh."

The vintage WWII bomber suffered the gear collapse after landing safely at Van Nuys during a repositioning flight. The airplane had been in the midst of a West Coast tour for EAA, which has since been put on hold.

EAA officials utilized video taken of the entire landing and roll-out sequence to help analyze the incident and what repairs will be required. EAA Museum Director Adam Smith said there did not appear to be damage of major concern "beyond what appears on the video."

No timeline has been set for completion of the aircraft inspection or ensuing repairs.
EAA has a long-established B-17 Maintenance Fund that is specifically earmarked for maintenance of the aircraft.

FMI: www.b17.org/support