Here is the current known situation with the FAA Airworthiness Directive that was effective on June 1, 2023, and the four formerly airworthy B-17s (Sentimental Journey, Ye Olde Pub, Yankee Lady, and Sally B).

We are happy to see that the Commemorative Air Force B-17G, 44-83514 (N9323Z), otherwise known as Sentimental Journey and operating from Airbase Arizona at Mesa, received its FAA blessing on Friday, June 9. The inspection procedure used to comply with the AD proved satisfactory to the FAA, and the airplane departed today (Saturday morning) to join the CAF’s 2023 Flying Legends of Victory Tour at Rock Springs, Wyoming.

B-17G 44-8543 (N3701G), otherwise known as Ye Olde Pub and operated by the Erickson Aircraft Collection from Madras, Oregon, was never directly affected by the AD. As per an Erickson source, the airplane had an inspection several years ago that complied with the AD. Paragraph (g) of the current AD states, in part, that  “…no action is required by this AD if all wing terminal fittings have been inspected in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of AD 2001–22–06, Amendment 39–12485 (66 FR 54111, October 26, 2001), and, as of the effective date of this AD, no more than 10 years or 2,500 flight hours have accumulated since that inspection.” Fortunately for the Erickson B-17, its prior inspection met this requirement, so it was never actually grounded. It remains ready to fly (it is undergoing routine maintenance right now) and has several airshow dates later in the summer.

The Yankee Air Force grounded its B-17G, 44-85829 (N3193G), otherwise known as Yankee Lady, at its base at Ypsilanti, Michigan, back on April 15 while it awaited the issuance of the FAA AD. The YAF cancelled all scheduled summer appearances of Yankee Lady. Beyond that, it seems to be a bit of a black hole of information. My request for an update from the YAF on the status and plans for the B-17G have yet to answered. So, it is but a guess that the YAF has the less invasive bolt removal inspection underway on the airplane. We await some concrete information and will pass it along when received.

And, finally, B-17G 44-85784 (G-BEDF), otherwise known as Sally B and operated by B-17 Preservation from Duxford (UK): The FAA AD is not technically applicable to the UK-registered B-17, its operator self-grounded the B-17 out of an abundance of precaution. As with Yankee Lady, I have not yet received any response to my inquiry to get some accurate information, but all available sources suggest it has been or is being inspected by removing the innermost bolt from the wing spar tube/terminal fitting joint. Those sources, which may not have accurate information, indicate it may be flying within a few weeks. We shall see.

So, of the four airworthy B-17s that were directly affected by the AD, two are now airworthy again and in compliance with the AD. From all indications, the innermost bolt removal inspection has proven to be quite doable so it is probable that all four B-17s will be back in the skies by the end of summer. It should be noted, however, that the FAA is using the AD to gather more information about whether further action is required. But, with Sentimental Journey and Ye Olde Pub evidently having a clean bill of health, perhaps it bodes well that the structural failure originally detected on the EAA B-17G, Aluminum Overcast (B-17G 44-85740, N5017N) in 2021 is not indicative of the fleet in general.

It is probable that several B-17s, Aluminum Overcast and the Mid America B-17G (N900RW, formerly Thunderbird) under overhaul at Madras, Oregon, included, will be flying again within the year. Bigger question marks surround several other B-17s, including MARC B-17G 44-83546 (N3703G), otherwise known as Movie Memphis Belle, and Collings B-17G 44-83785 (N207EV), both under long-term maintenance back to flying condition. No word yet on either airplane about AD compliance.