Fri, May 07, 2004
EAA Teams Arrive At Van Nuys To Inspect Aluminum Overcast
EAA aircraft maintenance teams arrived in California on Thursday
morning to assess the damage to the B-17 "Aluminum Overcast," as
the airplane suffered a landing gear failure after safely landing
at Van Nuys Airport late Wednesday afternoon.
The B-17 had arrived at Van Nuys to begin a scheduled stop on
this year's national tour, which featured numerous appearances on
the West Coast.
EAA's Director of Aircraft Maintenance is heading a team that
planned to take their first extensive look at the airplane Thursday
afternoon and begin assessing the extent of the damage. The
airplane is currently parked at the Van Nuys Airport and has been
secured following Wednesday's incident.
A final decision on a timetable will be made after the complete
damage assessment is completed.
"We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from EAA
members, who in their usual spirit, have stepped forward with
offers to help in many ways," said EAA President Tom Poberezny. "We
are truly grateful for these offers and expressions of support. As
we assess the aircraft damage and what the next step will be, we
will let EAA members and others know if and how they might be able
to help."
Both of the B-17's landing gears collapsed as the airplane was
completing its 4,000-foot landing roll. The airplane was estimated
to be traveling approximately 30 miles per hour at the time and was
about to turn off the runway. There were no injuries among the crew
or passengers, and all persons aboard safely exited the
airplane.
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.
The current B-17 tour began in April was traveling the West
Coast and was due to return to EAA Headquarters in Oshkosh (WI) in
mid-July.
(ANN extends a special thanks to Matt Fowle, Regional
Director of Mid-Continent Instruments West, for having the presence
of mind to shoot these remarkable photos and for sharing them with
our readers --ed.)
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