Update B-2: Stealth Bomber Crashes On Guam - Pilots Ejected
HAGATNA, Guam — A B-2 stealth bomber crashed at an air base on Guam on Saturday but both pilots ejected safely and were in good condition, the Air Force said.
Thick black smoke could be seen billowing from the wreckage at Andersen Air Force Base, said Geanne Ward, a resident in the northern village of Yigo who was on the base visiting her husband.
Ward said she didn’t witness the crash but noticed a rising plume of smoke behind the base’s air control tower.
She said crowds began to gather as emergency vehicles arrived Saturday morning local time.
“Everybody was on their cell phones, and the first thing everyone wanted to know was did the pilots make it out in time,” she said.
A board of officers will investigate the accident.
Each B-2 bomber costs about $1.2 billion to build. All 21 stealth bombers are based at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri but the Air Force has been rotating several of them through Guam since 2004, along with B-1 and B-52 bombers.
The rotations are designed to boost the U.S. security presence in the Asia-Pacific region while other U.S. forces diverted to fight in the Middle East.
The accident occurred 11 days after a Navy plane crashed into the ocean about 20 miles northeast of Guam’s Ritidian Point. Four aircrew members ejected from the EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft and were rescued by helicopter.
Guam is a U.S. territory 3,700 miles southwest of Hawaii.
(Fox)
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Dammit!!!!
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:26 pmWell, at least the pilots are OK, at least they will be unless the military has a “you break it, you buy it” policy.
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:32 pmoh man! have we ever lost one of these before? i remember when someone got the golden bb shot on the f-117 but what about the bomber?
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:29 pmOMG! Glad to hear the pilots are safe, but there are what, only 21 of those altogether?
Anyone wonder if Congress’ unwillingness to fund the war had something to do with this?
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:29 pmGlad everyone is okay.
February 23rd, 2008 at 3:48 amA. S. Wise- VA
Anyone wonder if Congress’ unwillingness to fund the war had something to do with this?
What does war funding have to do with a plane crash???
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:26 amRussia’s latest and greatest bomber the Tu-160 (kinda looks like a B-1), They have 16 of them, who knows how many can fly at any one time. A far cry from the capabilities of our B-2’s.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-160
From this link:
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:45 amThe Tupolev Tu-160 (NATO reporting name Blackjack) is a supersonic, variable-geometry heavy bomber designed by the Soviet Union. Similar to the B-1 Lancer, it was the last Soviet strategic bomber design and the heaviest combat aircraft ever built. Introduced in 1987, production of the aircraft still continues, with 16 currently in service with the Russian Air Force. Its pilots call the Tu-160 the “White Swan”, due to the surprising maneuverability and antiflash white finish of the aircraft.
This is the first B-2 crash EVER. There weren’t any lost in development. Unlike the B-1 which intially dropped like a lode stone on several occasions. All I can say is I hope the wind was blowing the smoke away from the base and the rest of the island. Its a hazmat nightmare. Thank God the pilots are okay, but I sure would hate to be them right now. Damn.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:10 am^ IP727
Easy, less prudent maintenance, due to budget priorities. It would be very difficult for this to be attribute to pilot error–the flight systems on the B-2 are too sophisticated.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:21 amSo, we now have only 20 left. These are not built anymore, I doubt it will be replaced. We should have at least 40-50 of these minimum but the Military budget is only %3 of the budget. My Checking account pays more interest than that.
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:30 amEgfrow,
That’s one hell of a good point; something can relate to. I’m stealing it.
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:03 am