We told you last week about damage suffered when the EAA’s B-17 “Aluminum Overcast” belly-flopped after folding its mains on a landing May 5 at the Van Nuys, Calif., airport. Now you can see what happened. Video obtained by KCBS-TV in Los Angeles shows that the B-17 went down hard when both of its mains gave way after what seemed to be an uneventful landing roll. The EAA’s Dick Knapinski tells AVweb the plane’s 2004 plans, including the “Salute to Veterans” tour, have been put on indefinite hold. Knapinski says the extent of damage still isn’t known, but the goal is to get the WWII-era plane in such shape that it can be ferried back to Oshkosh for repairs. Knapinski says Aluminum Overcast showed no sign of gear problems in the first month of its tour, and during the off-season of December through early March, it went through its annual tip-to-stern check. Knapinski says the outpouring of support shows just how popular the old warhorse is. Hundreds of calls and e-mails have flooded in from EAA chapters offering to travel to Van Nuys to help, West Coast avionics shops offering free repairs, and warbird buffs offering monetary donations. The B-17 is insured, but Knapinski says any cash donations are welcome and will be used to ensure that Aluminum Overcast, one of just twelve B-17s currently flying in the world, continues to do so.
Aluminum Overcast’s Bounce … Back?
Key Takeaways:
- The EAA's B-17 "Aluminum Overcast" suffered a belly-flop landing on May 5 at Van Nuys Airport due to main landing gear failure, putting its 2004 "Salute to Veterans" tour on indefinite hold.
- The extent of the damage is still unknown, but the goal is to ferry the WWII-era plane back to Oshkosh for repairs, despite it having shown no prior gear problems and passing its annual inspection.
- There has been an outpouring of support, including offers of volunteer help, free repairs, and monetary donations, to ensure one of the world's twelve flying B-17s can return to service.
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