CAF P-47 Thunderbolt involved in accident at Albuquerque International Sunport

MIDLAND, Texas (March 21, 2002) - A Commemorative Air Force (CAF) operated single-engine Republic P-47N Thunderbolt, N number N47TB, was involved in an accident at approximately 11:15 a.m. (Mountain Standard time), March 21, 2001, at Albuquerque International Sunport. The pilot of the plane, Doug Jeanes, age 45, a CAF member, was evacuated by helicopter to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque. Jeanes sustained minor burns and is currently in stable condition at the hospital.

The airplane had been in Albuquerque since Sept. 27, 2001, following an engine malfunction. The engine was subsequently overhauled and put back on the airplane. Jeanes was performing a maintenance test flight when the accident occurred. Initial reports indicate that while the airplane suffered major damage, it can be restored to flying condition.

The CAF's P-47N has been in active service with the CAF since 1963. The airplane is based at the Addison Airport in Addison, Texas. This P-47N is the only Thunderbolt in the CAF's inventory of 150 airplanes.

Jeanes, a CAF pilot since 1988, was rated to fly the P-47 in October of 2000. He is also CAF rated to fly the PT-26, L-5, L-17, Fi-156 and BT-13.

The P-47 Thunderbolt was the largest, heaviest and most expensive World War II single-engine fighter. Designed to be a long-range escort fighter, the "Jug" flew 546,000 sorties and is claimed to have destroyed 7,076 enemy aircraft in Europe and the Pacific.

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the accident.

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