Recovery of 86-0132
B-1B 86-0132, assigned to the 7th BW, was heavily damaged in a wheels-up landing at Diego Garcia on May 8th 2006 after a ferry flight from Guam. The aircraft slid along the runway for 7500 feet and caught fire; this was extinguished by emergency crews and the four crew on the B-1B escaped without injury. These pictures show how the aircraft was recovered (images thanks to strategyworld.com).
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| The result of a wheels-up landing at Diego Garcia. |
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| Three weeks later, lift day finally arrives. Note the crane. |
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| The forward fuselage is prepared for lifting. |
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| With the front fuselage off the ground, jacks are put in place. |
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| Four 2100lb concrete blocks are put in place to stabilize the jacks. |
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| Lift bags are inflated to stabilize the wings when the rear fuselage is lifted. |
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| With the main gear down, the nose gear is lowered. |
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| The aircraft back on her wheels and ready for towing. |
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| Damage to the aircraft was estimated at $7.9 million. |
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