B1 bomber plane arrives in Wichita after four day trek from Texas

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Drivers in south-central Kansas had quite the sight on their commute Saturday morning as some saw a B1 bomber plane being transported along the local roadways.

The plane arrived in Wichita in the early afternoon before being delivered to the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR). It took crews from Berard Trucking and police escorts four days to carry the 146 foot long bomber jet over 450 miles from Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas to Kansas.

The plane was brought to NIAR to undergo 3D scans that will help in maintaining and repairing future aircrafts.

Janet Houghton was one of many who followed the B1 bomber from Texas and said while it was a slow journey, it was a sight to see for drivers that passed by along the highways.

“Everybody was taking pictures,” said Houghton. “Everybody was so welcoming and just wanted to see what was going on. This is history, and I tell you what this makes me proud to be an American.”

According to Redhome Aviation on Facebook, the specific B1 bomber that was seen traveling through Kansas Saturday experienced engine failure and caught fire while performing an engine run after maintenance. The plane is now in Wichita for further research and testing.