Ooh -- That's Gonna Be Expensive....

**csadn** · 05-20-2016 13:30

http://www.flyingmag.com/b-52h-bomber-crashes-in-guam

**gully_raker** · 05-20-2016 17:07

Yes Expensive & interesting to find out what went wrong.

**Tonx** · 05-20-2016 21:06

N-I-M-R-O-D ...

The B-52H may be a jaw-dropping aircraft but it has been in service since 1960 (modified B-52G) to 1965 (produced as B-52H) making them on average half a century old. Also bear in mind those gigantic flexing wings ... Could we be at the start of a similar downfall of an age-based nature which befell the British BAC Nimrod R.1A / MR2 fleet?

Bearing in mind the wing characteristics I am intrigued to find out where the fire started and if it was in an area where the wings resonate or bend and flex?

I hope the B-52 is not about to suffer any form of downfall out of service let alone one as catastrophic as the BAC Nimrod did - the pinnacle of which occurred on September 1st 2006 to XV230 over Kandahar.

**clipper1801** · 05-20-2016 21:38

I still vividly recall the shock wave from this one hitting the glass in my office, back in the 90's . . . so sad and tragic. Glad these got out alive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjFIB1L3BPU

**Diamondback** · 05-20-2016 21:46

Probably due for something like ECP1581 "Pacer Plank" was for the old tall-tail D's, a complete rewing and reskin.

**Tonx** · 05-21-2016 08:24

Originally Posted by clipper1801

I still vividly recall the shock wave from this one hitting the glass in my office, back in the 90's . . . so sad and tragic. Glad these got out alive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjFIB1L3BPU

OMG I am glad you were no nearer! This crash in 1994 at Fairchild AFB was caused by pilot error when Arthur Holland (not sure of rank but that was the name of the Command Pilot) lost control too close to the ground to be performing manoeuvers of the nature seen. Two months prior to this he had been involved in an incident caught on camera where his B-52H cleared a mountain ridge by an estimated 60 feet. Well known at the time to be a seasoned aviator who was beginning to push his luck in the opinion of a growing number of his squadron just that little bit too far. Nobody walked away from this crash and the precise date is recorded at the bottom of this footage.