Dropped Out Of The Airplane During A Training Flight Wednesday

A B-52 lost an engine quite literally during a training mission out of Minot AFB in North Dakota on Wednesday.

The engine fell from the aircraft during flight operations into an unpopulated area about 25 miles northeast of the base, according to a report from Defense News. The pilot was able to land the aircraft safely using the seven engines still attached to the airplane.

The airplane, which belongs to the 5th bomb wing, was carrying no weapons on the training flight, according to the report. A Huey helicopter was dispatched to collected the wreckage.

The Air Force says that an investigation has been launched, but one of the broader questions is how the incident will affect any re-engining of the B-52, which has been in service since 1952. The Air Force plans to continue to fly the "BUFF" until 2040, which it will be fully replaced by the new B-21 bomber announced last year.

The Air Force is hoping to secure a public-private partnership for the engine upgrades, according to Lt. Gen. Mike Holmes, deputy chief of staff for Strategic Plans and Requirements. Defense News reports that in 2015, he said such an arrangement would prevent having to move money intended for procurement into an engine replacement program.

Pratt & Whitney has proposed an upgrade for the existing TF33-P-3/103 that would reduce maintenance costs. Some analysts say that the F117 engine could be a substitute for the TF33.

Currently the USAF has 76 B-52s in its inventory.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.af.mil