CAF C-47 "Blue Bonnet Belle" Incident - All Occupants Safe

[Bomber_12th]

The aircraft reportedly crashed on takeoff this morning in Burnet, Texas, on what was to be the start of its trip to Oshkosh. Fortunately all 13 occupants got out alive, but one had to be airlifted due to severe burns and several more had to be brought to the hospital. The aircraft appears to be a complete write-off.

http://www.kwtx.com/content/news/Plane-crashes-bursts-into-flames-at-Central-Texas-airport-13-hurt-488801681.html

[Cirrus N210MS]

The aircraft reportedly crashed on takeoff this morning in Burnet, Texas, on what was to be the start of its trip to Oshkosh. Fortunately all 13 occupants got out alive, but one had to be airlifted due to severe burns and several more had to be brought to the hospital. The aircraft appears to be a complete write-off.

http://www.kwtx.com/content/news/Plane-crashes-bursts-into-flames-at-Central-Texas-airport-13-hurt-488801681.html


I got to see her in EAA few times Such a Sweet Plane Going to miss it on the flight Line Glade the crew got out safely

[Bomber_12th]

Some video has been posted to Facebook showing that the aircraft had only just gotten airborne, about 10-12 feet, as the right wing dropped and then perhaps in the process of correcting for it the left wing then dropped and dug into the ground. According to some witnesses, the last of the occupants were having to jump through flames to get out.

This video shows just the takeoff run and the aircraft coming to rest. Warning, strong language: https://www.facebook.com/mattgallagher20/videos/10156341270911531/

[Penzoil3]

I've watched the video several times. Gallagher obviously saw something wrong before the wheels cleared the ground. I can't figure out what he saw.
Sue

[Bomber_12th]

Just before the video taker curses the first time, you can see the aircraft begins to swerve to the left. Then, just before he curses again, you can see that the left tire exits the left side of the runway. It appears then that in the effort to get the aircraft back to the runway the aircraft gets into the air prematurely without enough airspeed to maintain flight.

[Josh Patterson]

A Venom or Vampire (reports have listed both types so I'm not sure) crashed yesterday in Sheboygan too. http://www.wbay.com/content/news/Plane-crashes-near-Sheboygan-Falls-488762471.html Unfortunately the pilot did not make it. At least everyone got out of the Goony.

[Bomber_12th]

Yes, it's been a terrible couple days in the lead up to Oshkosh. The aircraft that crashed yesterday in Wisconsin was the World Hertiage Air Musuem's de Havilland Venom, which took the life of the Museum's president Marty Tibbitts. Both the Venom and the Museum's Gloster Meteor were scheduled to be at Oshkosh as part of the 100 years of the RAF celebration/gathering. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=213548

[Victory103]

I've been all over that plane as I looked to join a CAF squadron when I had the time, flew down on most weekends to walk around her. Glad everyone got out, but that is a massive loss for the squadron. So many volunteers have put in everything to keep her flying over the years. I had no idea about this as I'm walking around CAF AZ base today watching "Old No. 30" and "Sentimental Journey" get wrenched on.

[stansdds]

Sad news of the loss of another vintage aircraft. Glad that everyone survived.