How A B-17 Landed Itself

Ghost Plane: The B-17 That Landed Itself

On November 21, 1944, British anti-aircraft crews in Belgium watched in disbelief as a B-17 bomber made a rough, unscheduled landing in a potato field near their position. The aircraft bounced on impact, one wing striking the ground and sending debris flying. Yet, despite the chaotic landing, the plane remained upright, its engines still idling.

Rushing to aid the crew, the soldiers climbed aboard—only to find it completely empty.

Inside, personal belongings were scattered about, including a half-eaten chocolate bar, as if the crew had been there moments before. A logbook mentioned heavy flak but showed no signs of major damage. The strangest detail? The parachutes were still neatly stacked inside.

The mystery was finally solved when reports confirmed that the crew had bailed out earlier after the plane lost two engines to enemy fire. Miraculously, every crew member survived, and the parachutes left behind were just spares.