‘Diamond Lil’ suffers hydraulic malfunction

The Commemorative Air Force’s B-24, “Diamond Lil,” experienced a hydraulic malfunction during a scheduled passenger flight at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina, Saturday, May 26. The crew followed all safety protocols and took every precaution to ensure the safety of everyone on board, CAF officials said, noting there were no injuries to the passengers or crew and minimal damage to the aircraft.

The malfunction was detected during the flight and the crew immediately began following safety protocols to safely land the aircraft. An alternate method was used to lower the landing gear and there was a subsequent nose gear collapse on landing, resulting in minor damage to the exterior surface of the aircraft.

Temporary repairs will be made to the B-24 on site with FAA approval and the aircraft will be ferried to its home facility in Addison, Texas, with minimal crew on board.

Once in Addison, permanent repairs will be made in order to return the aircraft to service, CAF officials said.

The CAF’s B-24 bomber was built in May 1941 and was the 25th B-24 produced by Consolidated Aircraft at its San Diego facility. During the war this B-24 flew scheduled runs between San Diego, Fort Worth, New York, and Washington D.C. For six months she served Consolidated by carrying critically needed parts between San Diego and the Fort Worth plant. She also carried various American and foreign dignitaries within the U.S. In 1969 the aircraft was purchased by the CAF and, in 1971, she was painted in the colors and markings of the 98th Bomb Group, Pyramiders of the 9th Air Force in North Africa, and was named Diamond Lil.

For more information: CAFB29B24.org

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