The United States Air Force (USAF) has finally wrapped up its investigation into the December 2022 mishap involving a B-2 Spirit bomber. The findings point to a hydraulic system failure that led to a fire in the bomber’s left outboard fuel tank. This chain of events began when the hydraulic failure caused the left main landing gear to collapse, resulting in the aircraft skidding off the runway and catching fire. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
On December 10, 2022, the B-2A bomber, tail number 90-0041 from the 509th Bomb Wing, experienced a landing gear malfunction. The aircraft had taken off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri as a backup for a mission to Hawaii. Everything seemed routine until the final approach back to Whiteman, when hydraulic system leaks triggered warnings. Although the crew managed to extend all landing gears using the emergency system, the left main gear collapsed upon landing. This caused the aircraft to slide, rupture a fuel tank, and ignite a fire. The crew evacuated safely, but the fire destroyed the left wing after both fuel tanks exploded.
The damage to the aircraft is estimated to exceed $300 million, with additional damage to the airfield. The B-2 stealth bomber, known for its elusive radar signature and advanced stealth technology, costs over $2 billion each. Whiteman Air Force Base remains the sole active base for these bombers, with maintenance managed by the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center. Despite the incident, the B-2 continues to be a critical asset in the USAF’s arsenal, thanks to its unique design and capabilities.
#USAF #B2Bomber #AviationSafety #StealthTechnology #MilitaryAviation
Originally reported by Simple Flying Read More
