Air Carrier Certification

It saddens me when we lose part of our flying history like the Liberty Belle. This airplane did not crash as has been reported. A fire started in the left wing and was immediately reported to ATC. “Directly below the B-17 was a farmer’s field and the decision was made to land immediately. Approximately 1 minute and 40 seconds from the radio report of the fire, the B-17 was down safely on the field. Within that 1:40 time frame, the crew shutdown and feathered the number 2 engine, activated the engine’s fire suppression system, lowered the landing gear and performed an on-speed landing. Bringing the B-17 to a quick stop, the crew and passengers quickly and safely exited the aircraft. Overhead in the T-6, Cullen professionally coordinated and directed the firefighting equipment which was dispatched by Aurora Tower to the landing location”. (Read more)

My congratulations go out to Capt. John Hess and Bud Sittic, who are both Delta Captains, for a job well done! Precisely 1:40 seconds following the in-flight fire report the aircraft was safely landed in a field directly below the occurrence. The aircraft was later consumed by fire when the fire trucks were not able to cross the soft wet field to extinguish the flames.

Training and experience is an essential component when faced with in-flight emergencies that require correct split second decision making followed by coordinated action. Obviously each flawlessly did their part in executing a safe landing and evacuation of the aircraft.

Cheers,
Jim