Engine Falls From Air Force Bomber Mid-Flight
An Air Force bomber has lost its engine mid-flight.
The US Air Force B-52 bomber was on a training flight near Minot Air Force base in the United States when the engine fell from the plane.
The aircraft was flying over North Dakota at the time of the incident.
According to Military.com, a spokesperson said:
"Earlier today, a B-52 dropped an engine while in flight. The aircraft landed safely with no injuries."
Major Jim Humphries from the Air Force's 5th Bomber Wing told ABC News that the plane "experienced a malfunction while in flight" involving a "piece that fell from the aircraft" but did not confirm if it was one of the engines.
An investigation is underway and the area where the engine fell is not believed to be populated.
A helicopter was sent to recover the debris which lies around 25 miles from the base.
The B-52 is built by Boeing and is one of the oldest models flying for the US Air Force.
Its first flight was in 1952 and has been used continuously, with major upgrades, since then.
Capable of carrying up to 70,000 pounds (32,000 kg) of weapons, they have flown in combat from Vietnam to Afghanistan and a number are now deployed to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar where they are conducting operations against Islamic State.
Last year, three of the bombers were sent to to RAF Fairford to take part in a number of large NATO exercises in Europe.
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