B-1B Lancer arrive at Tinker Air Base for overhaul after emergency landing

A B-1B Lancer arrived at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma following a three-engine ferry flight from Midland International Air & Space Port Oct. 26, 2018, where it had been located since May 1st following an emergency landing.

After undergoing a Safety Investigation Board and maintenance to get the aircraft into a safely operable condition the jet was flown by a crew from the Tinker based 10th Flight Test Squadron, Air Force Reserve Command, from Midland Air & Space Port to Tinker where it will undergo depot-level maintenance and upgrades to Block 16 configuration, according to Greg L. Davis, 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs.

During a routine training flight May 1, the four-engine B-1B indicated fire warnings in three areas of the aircraft. All but one was extinguished by taking appropriate flight procedures, prompting the aircraft commander to heed technical orders and command a controlled manual ejection.

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The first aircrew member attempted to eject, but the seat failed to deploy. Alerted by another crewmember, the aircraft commander halted the ejection sequence and decided to attempt a two-engine emergency landing.

Despite auditory warning systems, depressurization and wind noise, the aircrew safely landed in Midland, making it the first-ever successful landing of a B-1B experiencing these malfunctions.

For their heroism, the crew members were each presented the Distinguished Flying Cross in a ceremony July 13 at Dyess AFB.

Upon completion of overhaul and upgrades the jet will be returned to the B-1B fleet with the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess AFB, Texas.

The 10th FLTS is a specialized AFRC squadron tasked with conducting test flights of aircraft undergoing maintenance with the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex at Tinker AFB. OC-ALC is the largest of three depot repair complexes in Air Force Materiel Command.

Photo by: Greg L. Davis
Photo by: Greg L. Davis
Photo by: Greg L. Davis

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About author:

Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov is the editor-in-chief of Defence Blog. He is a journalist, an accredited defense advisor, and a consultant. His background as a defense advisor and consultant adds a unique perspective to his journalistic endeavors, ensuring that his reporting is well-informed and authoritative. read more

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