The loss of the LIBERTY FOUNDATION Boeing B17 Flying Fortress in a crash yesterday in suburban Chicago, has delivered a hard blow to aviation enthusiasts all over the world. The restored B17 bomber, known as the "Liberty Belle" made for forced landing yesterday in a west suburban cornfield after the left hand engine caught fire, shortly after takeoff from the Aurora, Illinois, Airport. All 7 crew members and volunteers escaped without serious injury as the aircraft burst into flames when it came to a stop in the cornfield. The B17 was a total loss.
Of the 12731 B17s manufactured, about 50 remain, including wrecked planes that have been pulled out of the water, according to the Experimental Aircraft Association. Of those 50, only 13 are fully intact and only 10 fly in the US, with only 3 able to carry passengers. The B17 that crashed, was made in 1944 and was one that could carry passengers. It was at Aurora Municipal Airport this past weekend, with crews offering flights to World War II veterans and others looking for a thrill-seeking history lesson. The NTSB is investigating. Federal officials said they did not know the cause but were looking into maintenance performed on the plane over the weekend. Several people scheduled to fly in the bomber last week said their flights were canceled due to maintenance problems.
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