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B-1B catches fire at al-Udeid, crew safe

A B-1B Lancer bomber caught fire after landing at al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

Maj. John Elof, a spokesman for Air Forces Central, said the crew of four exited the plane safely. It is unclear what led to the emergency.

B-1Bs fly out of al-Udeid, the headquarters for all Air Force air operations in the Middle East, for missions over Iraq and Afghanistan.

In recent years there have been several accidents involving B-1Bs, none resulting in serious injuries or loss of the planes, which are valued at more than $283 million each.

In August a B-1B made an emergency landing at Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan, after an engine caught fire.

Then in March, a Lancer turned back to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, after the crew reported a hydraulic leak. After the crew safely landed the plane and got out, due to concerns about fire, the bomber rolled into a pair of parked fire trucks.

In September 2005, a B-1B caught fire after landing at Andersen because leaking hydraulic fluid came in contact with hot brakes.

And in May 2005, the aircrew of a B-1B landing at Diego Garcia forgot to lower the jet’s landing gear, sending the plane skidding down the runway for several thousand feet.