Direct link to video
Many of you no doubt already know that on Monday June 13 the B-17 Flying Fortress, Liberty Belle, made an emergency landing just outside of Auroa IL. Thanks to skilled piloting there were no fatalities. All seven occupants, including the crew, got out safely. Sadly, what started as a smaller fire in the left wing necessitating the emergency landing turned into a larger fire (after the occupants were safely off the plane). Some of you may have seen pictures and videos of what is left of the Liberty Belle after the fire, much of the fuselage between the wings and the tail section was destroyed by the fire.
The NTSB is investigating the incident.
I am only now posting about the loss of the Liberty Belle Flying Fortress. I am not ashamed to say that I wept when I finally saw the pictures and videos the other day. After spending many weeks learning about, and then writing about the B-17, my love for the Forts continues to grow.
I have never seen the Liberty Belle up close and personal, but I want to remember her flying proudly as shown in the video that I have embedded here. So, I am not posting links to the many photos and videos taken during and after the fire that consumed her after her emergency landing.
The Liberty Belle Flying Fortress (44-86734) was lovingly restored over a fifteen year period by the Liberty Foundation. It was only after the restoration that she flew as the Liberty Belle. The original "Liberty Belle" flew in the 390th Bomb Group in WW II. She completed 64 combat missions before being salvaged in early 1945. To read more about her story you might want to see the Liberty Belle History page, here.
The Chief Pilot of the Liberty Foundation, Ray Fowler, made a statement on the home page of the Liberty Foundation webpage on June 14 about the loss of the Liberty Belle. At the time I write this (on June 17), the statement may be found here. I am including an excerpt from Ray's statement:
Let me go on the record by thanking the flight crew for their professionalism. Their actions were nothing short of heroic and their quick thinking, actions and experience led to a “successful” outcome to this serious in-flight emergency. John and Bud (and Cullen) did a remarkable job under extreme circumstances and performed spectacularly. While the leading news stories have repeatedly reported the “crash” of our B-17, fact is they made a successful forced landing and the aircraft was ultimately consumed by fire. Airplanes are replaceable but people are not and while the aircraft’s loss is tragic, it was a successful result.
This leads me into discussing the exceptional safety record of the Boeing B-17 and to hopefully squash the naysayers who preach we should not be flying these types of aircraft. Since we first flew the “Liberty Belle” in December of 2004, we have flown over 20,000 passengers throughout the country and if you count our historic trip to Europe in 2008, worldwide. Of the other touring B-17s, some of which that have been touring for over 20 years, they have safely flown hundreds of thousands of people. (obtained from http://www.libertyfoundation.org/index.html on 6/17/11)
Cullen, a volunteer with the Liberty Foundation took off in his T-6 just after the Liberty Belle, flying chase (to support the B-17). He did a lot of radio work and other things in support of the crew of the Liberty Belle and Air Traffic Control while the incident was under way.
Again at the time I write this, the Liberty Foundation has a photo page and a page with videos.
In closing, while I grieve what may be the loss of the Liberty Belle, I want to commend the pilots, John Hess (left seat) and Bud Sittig (right seat) for bringing her down in a wheels down emergency landing. To John and Budd and the passengers, you watched her burn after you got out. I can't begin to imagine what that was like. Cullen, great job! To all involved in the Liberty Foundation, words escape me.
I know that the Liberty Belle is flying in favorable tail winds in the great beyond, that she was and will continue to be loved. Her work and the work of the Liberty Foundation will go on.
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