B-17 Liberty Belle fire & landing in Oswego,Ill, EVERYONE OK

[67Cougar]

Looking at the video feed, it seems that the crew did one hell of a job getting her down, on her gear, in a ploughed, short, field. From the burn marks and tire tracks, looks as if the fire was in the left inboard, and was probably fully involved before they got it stopped. Just my non-aviator opinion, but the folks on board and their families owe a huge thanks to the pilots and their skill.

[B17news]

my hats off to the crew, they did a hell of a job. I saw her at Tom's place being built as well. Heartbreaking.
-B

[Robbie Stuart]

Thank God everyone got out. Any word on who was flying? As some of you know my boss has very close ties with Don Brooks. I am so sorry for this loss.
Robbie

[Air_Force_Vet]

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video?id=8187335 :VIDEO

[bugazon]

Thank god Everyone is safe. Hats off to the crew keeping everyone safe including people on the ground. Just feels like we lost a family member with the loss of Liberty Belle. I am sad

[Robbie Roberts]

I never saw Liberty Belle in person, but feel like there has been a death in the family... I am very happy to hear that every person on board survived, but am very upset by the loss.

Scott

[spookythecat]

[WIXerGreg]

Don't know whether to throw up or cry. Glad everyone got out OK. I know there are some Liberty Foundation members here...I'm so sorry guys.

[Bluedharma]

Just saw her less than a month ago...
I am very glad everyone is safe and no one was injured.

[airnutz]

Mondays SUCK! I'm going back to bed.

[K5DH]

What a gut-wrenching thing to read about! I'm so happy to know that everyone got out safely. That's a testament to the flight crew's level of skill and ability to keep a cool head in a terrifying emergency situation. I had the pleasure of taking a ride aboard Liberty Belle a couple of years ago when they were visiting Cavanaugh Flight Museum, and I must say that the entire crew were some great folks who went out of their way to make the flight enjoyable and safe for everyone. My heart goes out to Don Brooks and all of the fine folks who maintained and flew Liberty Belle.

[StangStung]

Like all here, I was heartbroken to hear the news, and mortified by the images.

I'm also very happy to hear that only minor injuries were reported. I don't know (and suspect few here do) the exact circumstances, but I imagine there was some first class airmanship involved in getting this kind of result with an emergency like this one.

Anyone know what the current state-of-the-art is with respect to fire suppression on the vintage big iron (B-25, -24, -27, -29)? What assets does the modern warbird pilot have at his disposal in an engine fire situation, if any? Is it just, "set her down before the wing burns off"?

I vaguely remember on the thread about the French B-25 incident someone had mentioned that it was costly and/or very difficult to install modern fire suppresion systems on that aircraft. Is this true across the board for money/technical reasons? Someone here knows, I'm sure.

[the330thbg]

DARN, DARN, DARN!!!!!!!!!!

[mustangdriver]

Glad that everyone made it out safe. Am actually sick about the airplane.

[Air_Force_Vet]

more pics: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110613/news/706139928/photos/AR/