I remember this one. It's a B-52H, and it was the only B-52 to survive catastrophic loss of the vertical stabilizer. It landed safely. The USAF already knew of a structural problem with the vertical stab and Boeing was in the process of fixing it. If I recall correctly, this was the last one that lost its vertical stab. As Daniel P. says, turbulence was a factor in causing structural failure. This B-52 was over the front range of the Rocky Mountains, near Pueblo, Colorado, when the stab departed the aircraft.
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I looked this up on the interwebs... apparently it's damage from strong turbulence!
Thank God for multiple engines.
I remember this one. It's a B-52H, and it was the only B-52 to survive catastrophic loss of the vertical stabilizer. It landed safely. The USAF already knew of a structural problem with the vertical stab and Boeing was in the process of fixing it. If I recall correctly, this was the last one that lost its vertical stab. As Daniel P. says, turbulence was a factor in causing structural failure. This B-52 was over the front range of the Rocky Mountains, near Pueblo, Colorado, when the stab departed the aircraft.
Poor buff!
Thanks for the info TOF.
If you want a pretty good rundown on the B-52 tail problems, check this site: http://www.talkingproud.us/HistoryB52NoTail.html
I know the pilot of the BUF that was lost at Elephant Mountain, Maine. He's still around and lives a couple of miles from me. His story is remarkable.
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