SANTIAGO, Chile — Iron Maiden’s Boeing 747 was grounded after the plane’s connection with towing vehicles failed and it collided with the support vehicles. The accident happened early on March 12. Band, crew and gear were not aboard the plane during the accident. Two airport employees were injured.
The band is currently touring with Anthrax on their Book of Souls world tour. They had just performed in Santiago the night before, and were able to make alternate arrangements and complete the next show on their tour in Cordoba, Argentina, on March 13. The band also reported that the injured airport employees were expected to make a full recovery.
The tour is expected to continue as planned with more shows in Brazil through the end of March. The band returns to kick off the North American leg of their tour with a show at Madison Square Garden in New York March 30.
The plane, dubbed “Ed Force One,” is often helmed by lead singer Bruce Dickinson; he is also a licensed commercial pilot. No word on how long it will take for the plane to be repaired, but the band made clear on its website that the tour would go on.
“We expect no disruption to the tour in any way and are looking for a replacement 747 Ed Force One while our current beauty is healed,” the band noted, on www.ironmaiden.com.
