VSIP - Body

USAF B1B "Bone" at Melbourne International Airport

Last night (Saturday 7th of March, 2009) a United States Air Force B1B "Bone" Bomber made an unplanned landing
at Melbourne's International Airport at around 10pm AEDT. According to sources at the airport, the aircraft had an
abnormal reading and needed to land to ensure that nothing was wrong. The aircraft was most likely on its way
down to Avalon Airport for the 2009 Australian International Airshow due to start on Tuesday 10th of March.
For more information on the airshow, please go to www.airshow.com.au.

UPDATE: SUN 08/MAR/2009 11:25AM
The USAF B1B is at Melbourne International Airport still this morning, following its emergency landing
last night. According to sources at Melbourne Airport, the aircraft was scheduled to be landing at
Melbourne International last night, but on approach the crew received a warning light in regards to
the landing gear. The aircraft is now awaiting a tow-bar to arrive from Adelaide to be able to move it
to a hanger to have maintenance performed to ensure the fault is found and fixed.
We will post more information when it comes to hand.

UPDATE: SUN 08/MAR/2009 6:30PM
According to sources at Melbourne Airport, the aircraft was found to have blown a tyre at some point, which was
causing the gear warning. The aircraft is currently awaiting maintenance at Melbourne Airport. Upon completition
the USAF B-1B "Bone" Lancer Bomber will be heading down to Avalon for the 2009 Australian International Airshow.
This is expected to take place sometime on Tuesday.

Photographer: Tim Roberts (VicScan Interstate Publications - Media)