US$285m B-1B bomber makes wheels-up landing ...oops!

[Head in the clouds]

Ouch! Wonder what became of the pilot?!

 

 

Landing on runway 31 at Diego Garcia, skidding 7,500 feet down the runway.

 

The aircraft and crew were landing at the end of an 11 hour ferry mission that started at Andersen AFB , Guam . During the landing, the B-1B caught fire and emergency crews extinguished the flames. The four-person aircrew escaped from the plane through the overhead escape hatch. The aircraft was finally removed from the runway 4 days later.

 

The Air Force Accident Investigation concluded the pilots forgot to lower the landing gear.The USAF estimated the damage to the B-1B at $7.9 million, and the damage to the runway at $14,025. RBRM and those old SEABEES made one tough runway, that's for sure!

 

 

 

For those of you who've never seen a $285,000,000.00 bomber on the deck, here she is:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[fly_tornado]

I saw one of these @ the SAC museum in Nebraska, really stunning!

 

 

[ayavner]

human factors for the win!

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

Ouch! Wonder what became of the pilot?!Landing on runway 31 at Diego Garcia, skidding 7,500 feet down the runway.

 

The aircraft and crew were landing at the end of an 11 hour ferry mission that started at Andersen AFB , Guam . During the landing, the B-1B caught fire and emergency crews extinguished the flames. The four-person aircrew escaped from the plane through the overhead escape hatch. The aircraft was finally removed from the runway 4 days later.

 

The Air Force Accident Investigation concluded the pilots forgot to lower the landing gear.The USAF estimated the damage to the B-1B at $7.9 million, and the damage to the runway at $14,025. RBRM and those old SEABEES made one tough runway, that's for sure!Lift her up, drop the gear, and away you go .....then send the drivers a fresh jar of Vaselene for when they front the Commanding officer !...............................

Lift her up, drop the gear, and away you go .....then send the drivers a fresh jar of Vaselene for when they front the Commanding officer !...............................

 

 

[bexrbetter]

People around the world having a big go at the Koreans at the moment but these incidents are very common in the American Forces.

 

 

[facthunter]

At least they get to the runway. In Australia they don't trust the services pilots. They say "XYZ Clear to land CHECK WHEELS." Nev

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

Looks like the yanks should say it too !!...................Maj...

 

 

[fly_tornado]

People around the world having a big go at the Koreans at the moment but these incidents are very common in the American Forces.

its because of their culture. everyone thinks they have super human powers because he was born in "God's own country".

 

 

[rgmwa]

I guess if your aircraft is worth $285m, a $7.9m repair bill is not too bad really. Wonder if the crew will have to chip in, assuming they're still employed.

 

rgmwa

 

 

[bexrbetter]

I guess if your aircraft is worth $285m, a $7.9m repair bill is not too bad really. Wonder if the crew will have to chip in, assuming they're still employed.rgmwa

No, extra medals (those little bars they add) for facing adversity no doubt.

 

 

[rgmwa]

No, extra medals (those little bars they add) for facing adversity no doubt.

Ah yes, of course. Well deserved recognition for making a fine landing, given that they had no wheels. My mistake.

 

rgmwa

 

 

[Bandit12]

I saw a number of the Lancers at the Boneyard last year, some already chopped up into pieces. Seeing it on the ground reminded me of them all carved up and forlorn.

 

Less than 3% cost of aircraft in damage - that is a pretty rugged aircraft.

 

 

[ayavner]

I used to love watching them at the airshows when I was stationed over in Mildenhall, UK. Bloody loud!!

 

 

[dazza 38]

I had a look at one at Amberley (from a distance, we were not allowed to get up close). Looked like a over grown F111 to me.

 

 

[facthunter]

That is an unbelievably small amount of damage. Nev

 

 

[Head in the clouds]

That is an unbelievably small amount of damage. Nev

Oh, OK, sorry about that - this one has a more believable amount of damage

 

This B-1B had brake failure and overran the runway and slammed into a concrete barrier.

 

 

 

 

[facthunter]

And the barrier only hit it in self defence. Concrete evidence of newtons laws. Nev

 

 

[Head in the clouds]

There's a lot of discussion elsewhere suggesting that these kind of (expensive) aircraft should have automatic gear extension or better warning systems. I'm not sure if this has been seen here before, but how much better warning do folks here think is needed, than this -

 

 

 

[Admin]

Ouch, luckily the only thing that is hurting is the pride and wallet...that continual buzzer would have been off putting