When a B-47 Bomber flew under the Mackinac Bridge
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On April 24th, 1959, U.S. Air Force Captain John S. Lappo, a WW2 and Korean War Veteran, was flying a USAF RB-47E 6-engine bomber aircraft, along with his five-man crew as they were returning to Lockbourne Air Force base near Columbus, Ohio.
As the Mackinac Bridge came into view, Capt Lappo succumbed to a temptation that has flashed through the mind of almost every pilot since the birth of powered flight... he called to his crew, "I'm taking her under" and pushed the nose of the massive 230,000-pound Strategic Air Command nuclear bomber forward towards the waters of Lake Michigan and directly at "Mighty Mac" at over 400 miles per hour. The RB-47 Stratojet, screaming just over the whitecaps of the lake, streaked cleanly through the 150-foot clearance underneath the Mackinac Bridge, then pulled her nose up and away from the surface waters of Lake Michigan.
As the Mackinac Bridge came into view, Capt Lappo succumbed to a temptation that has flashed through the mind of almost every pilot since the birth of powered flight... he called to his crew, "I'm taking her under" and pushed the nose of the massive 230,000-pound Strategic Air Command nuclear bomber forward towards the waters of Lake Michigan and directly at "Mighty Mac" at over 400 miles per hour. The RB-47 Stratojet, screaming just over the whitecaps of the lake, streaked cleanly through the 150-foot clearance underneath the Mackinac Bridge, then pulled her nose up and away from the surface waters of Lake Michigan.
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(Photoshop image for story reference only)
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Unfortunately, not all crew members were pleased with the Captain's decision. Namely, a new navigator who, unknown to the rest of the crew, was the General's son...a fact that would have some implications after the somewhat historical flight. That flight was the last flight for Captain Lappo.
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Shortly after pleading guilty to violating the Air Force regulation that prohibited flying an aircraft less than 500 feet above the ground or water, Capt. Lappo was put on suspended pay for six months and received a formal reprimand. He was then forced to surrender his wings.
Captain Lappo remained in the Air Force as an aircraft maintenance officer, and after thirty years of service, he retired with honours as a Lieutenant Colonel.
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Shortly after pleading guilty to violating the Air Force regulation that prohibited flying an aircraft less than 500 feet above the ground or water, Capt. Lappo was put on suspended pay for six months and received a formal reprimand. He was then forced to surrender his wings.
Captain Lappo remained in the Air Force as an aircraft maintenance officer, and after thirty years of service, he retired with honours as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Tolls for the bridge vary. $2.00 per axle for passenger vehicles ($4.00 per car). $5.00 per axle for motor homes, and commercial vehicles. There is no mention of the toll for six engined Strategic Bombers.
Name of the Navigator PLEASE
I’m from Col. Laptop’s hometown and it is STILL talked about here. The crew of five was coming back from deployment, and talked about the bridge that had just been completed. Someone suggested they fly under it. So a vote was taken, 4 days and one nay. The nay vote was by a 2nd lt (the son of a general) who ended up squealing. As a side note, nobody wanted to fly with him after that. Anyway, in a interview shortly before his death in ’89, Col LAPPO said it was not worth it.
He became a Vietnam veteran after this flight, of course. This flight definitely happened. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/05/13/explained-air-force-pilot-bomber-mackinac-bridge/1189683001/
That’s my great great aunts brother
We interviewed the pilot in our TV studio for an “Editors Notepad” program many years ago. Its not sketchy, he did it.
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