B-29 Tragedy.

[Romanator21]

But he still rushed the entire project - notice how it was taxiing. One should never attempt to takeoff any plane from a "runway" like that, much less a 50 year old one. Could you imagine that going at full speed?

Their bulldozer did not have proper flattening equipment, just the plow. They had less than half the runway that was required in the operating manual. The APU broke loose from the bouncing and caught fire, but it wasn't supposed to be on after engine start-up in the first place.

You can hear Darryl say "someone left the APU on..." but as PIC it's his responsibility to ensure that it was off, and his responsibility to have the balls to say "no-go" in the first place and take more time to make sure everything is right.

There are just a string of things that are absolutely wrong with this. In the second or third part, he's talking with a weather briefer on the radio, who advises against flying due to weather - but he goes anyway. It may all seem like minor cock-ups, but it all adds up with disastrous consequences. This is how 99% of air accidents happen.

I get the impression that he was just too impatient, too complacent, too much of a fighter-jock to take on a serious project such as this. It was better left to more competent leadership.

That's my rant...

[WTE_Galway]

I remember that debacle. people at the time claimed they should have dismantled it and flown it out in parts.

If I recall correctly the fire was caused by jury rigged temporary generators not the 50 year old airframe ?

I also remember alot of recrimination becasue they not only lost a rare warbird but also 4 equally rare newly rebuilt Wright R3350's

[swiss]

it's not like the b29 is a rare plane, is it?

[WTE_Galway]

Originally Posted by swiss

it's not like the b29 is a rare plane, is it?

True we do have Fifi flying again.

One airworthy should be enough, we shouldn't get greedy

[swiss]

and e-gay.

[WTE_Galway]

Originally Posted by swiss

and e-gay.

Enola Gay is not likely to be ever airworthy AFAIK

Although there was an April Fool's hoax at one stage claiming it was doing a flight across America.

[swiss]

Why do they need to be airworthy at all?
They are ok an display in a "potential airworthy" status.
Since they are rare, why put them at risk of frequent flying?

Ok, it's probably just me.

[LukeFF]

Originally Posted by WTE_Galway

Enola Gay is not likely to be ever airworthy AFAIK

Not a chance in the world. It's on display in the D.C. area.

One could only imagine the protests that would happen if they even thought about flying it again.

[JG52Uther]

What a complete and utter moron! And his words 'this is my game,and I'd do it again' just about sums him up.

[Flanker35M]

S!

After seeing that clip..umm..That guy should only fly model kits or something. With that kind of "expertise" he will ruin more than gain. Losing that B29 to a makeshift installation of an APU that was STILL running when not supposed to just shows the incompetency of the crew to make even basic pre-flight checks etc. Huh huh..