B-17 Destroyed in Crash

**moose135** · 2011-06-13, 11:47 AM

A vintage World War II bomber crashed and burned in a field southeast of Aurora Municipal Airport this morning, but the seven people on board escaped without injury, according to aviation officials.

The plane, a B-17 known as a "Flying Fortress," took off from Aurora Airport at 9:30 a.m. and went down about three or four miles from Aurora about 20 minutes later, according to Elizabeth Isham Cory, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration. "The plane is burning. We believe the seven people on board escaped without injury."

Full story:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...,5852034.story

From the photos, it appears it is "Liberty Belle".

**steve1840** · 2011-06-13, 11:55 AM

Sad, sad news. Thankfully the people on board escaped safely.

**NIKV69** · 2011-06-13, 12:10 PM

Yep yellow on wing. Liberty Belle. What a sad day and sight.

**Derf** · 2011-06-13, 12:31 PM

Video of the fire
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?sec...cal&id=8187278

**Derf** · 2011-06-13, 12:44 PM

From the video the gear was down on landing, No bent props but that is because the gear was down. Very sad

The pilot reported a fire shortly after taking off, said Sugar Grove Fire Chief Marty Kunkle.
"He attempted to make a return to the airport, but couldn't make it so he put it down in a cornfield," Kunkel said.

Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/news/articl...#ixzz1PAyT8yzk

**jerslice** · 2011-06-13, 12:57 PM

Having had the privelege of working for the foundation, flying on board Liberty Belle twice, and knowing the crew, watching the pics/video is just heartbreaking. I'm so glad the guys made it off though.

**Derf** · 2011-06-13, 01:04 PM

I was just going thru your pictures of your flight around Seattle. Very sad. I am glad you documented your flight so well. This is a loss for the entire warbird community but being that you flew on her and were so close, it will not affect us as much as it has you. I am sorry for your loss. I am Glad everyone is ok as it is just an airplane....ONE HELL OF AN AIRPLANE!

**cancidas** · 2011-06-13, 02:11 PM

i'm glad the crew survived! wonder if she'll be restored once more. would be very sad if she were a complete write-off.

**steve1840** · 2011-06-13, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by cancidas

i'm glad the crew survived! wonder if she'll be restored once more. would be very sad if she were a complete write-off.

Looking at those photos and video, I can't see her being restored. To restore her after that would involve building almost an entirely new airframe.

**Derf** · 2011-06-13, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by cancidas

i'm glad the crew survived! wonder if she'll be restored once more. would be very sad if she were a complete write-off.

Nothing is usable....it is gone

**jerslice** · 2011-06-13, 02:37 PM

wonder if she'll be restored once more. would be very sad if she were a complete write-off.

Looking at those photos and video, I can't see her being restored. To restore her after that would involve building almost an entirely new airframe.

I'd love to see her restored but unfortunately I think I've gotta agree with Steve and Derf, there just isn't much left. If they rebuilt most of the frame they might be able to use parts of the nose and tail...maybe an engine or two?...but still I don't see it happening. I hope I'm proven wrong.

**steve1840** · 2011-06-13, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by jerslice

I'd love to see her restored but unfortunately I think I've gotta agree with Steve and Derf, there just isn't much left. If they rebuilt most of the frame they might be able to use parts of the nose and tail...maybe an engine or two?...but still I don't see it happening. I hope I'm proven wrong.

I agree 100% with you Jeremy about loving to see her restored and being proven wrong. But I'm not getting my hopes up. Maybe it could be something that they could build a false airframe for and turn into a static display in a museun or something, but she will most certainly never fly again.