B-1 Bomber Catches Fire on Flight Line at Dyess

Air Force Maganzine ^ | 21 Apr 2022 | Greg Hadley

[OHPatriot]

You are correct to a point.

The big aircraft producers (Lockheed, Boeing, Northrop, etc) routinely have in their EMPLOYMENT, numerous RETIRED Air Force Generals specifically to kick active General’s asses.

Retired Generals, and Senior Civilians should be bared for life from ANY employment with the military industrial complex.

[libertylover]

They had a CO2 handheld handy

Can't quite tell if you were being facetious or not. In my day, the Crew Chief stood by a large extinguisher on a cart during engine starts.

[libertylover]

It’s pretty clear that the the big aircraft producers (Lockheed, Boeing, McDonnell-Douglas etc) routinely kick the Air Force Generals asses.

There is no McDonnell-Douglas anymore. They were bought by Lockheed? years ago. Glad you didn't spell it as "McDonald-Douglas" though.

[Alas Babylon!]

Yes. GSC is what once was SAC andTAC. I served in both.

[Alas Babylon!]

The B-One goes back to Jimmy Carter, who cancelled it, only to have Reagan, once elected, bring it back.

It’s not a spring chicken, but it is an awesome aircraft.

[ridesthemiles]

In Nevada, the Nevada National Guard does ALOT of maintenance-—all over the world.

[jagusafr]

I think it used to be 20 AF till they took the ballistic mission away from AFSPACE. Or they moved 20 AF to AFGSC. It’s been awhile, I could be wrong.

[CodeToad]

MD is now Boeing. RIP Boeing.

[PIF]

Heh

[TonyM]

I watched a C-141 burn up on the maintenance ramp at Travis AFB in the early 90s. Once it started there was nothing that could be done but watch it burn. Luckily nobody was hurt.

[Fresh Wind]

More here, mentions fuel system problems and leaks:

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2022/04/21/b-1b-bomber-catches-fire-during-engine-work-at-dyess-injuring-two/

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/04/23/entire-b-1b-bomber-fleet-grounded-over-fuel-pump-filter-housing-problem/

[lapsus calami]

 

 

Friend watched one burn down during the Vietnam War. Mechanics had hosed down the engines with solvent to clean them but neglected to leave the drain petcocks open - the cowlings filled up with solvent. When they spun the engines up for a performance check *whoosh*. Everyone got out and away okay, but it blew up for about 3 hours since it was loaded with ammunition.

 

 

[pfflier]

The video is revealing. It shows most of the fire by the left engine nacelle and on the ground.

My bet is a rupture fuel line at the engines.

The comments on this thread are all over the place except the fire. Once upon a time, I could use Free Republic as a viable reference for real facts.

[Rebelbase]

I wonder if the Airman who took the video is going to get hosed for doing so.

[Robert A Cook PE]

But we have so few bombers, so few fighters and cargo. Each loss like losing 300 - 400 planes in WWII.

[Cen-Tejas]

A BIG AMEN to your last sentence!

[Cen-Tejas]

A BIG AMEN to your last sentence!

[Cen-Tejas]

I think they actually built 100 but are now down to 40 odd active.