Iron Maiden's 'Ed Force One' Damaged In Chile, Two Injured

Iron Maiden's Boeing 747 known as "Ed Force One" was damaged in Santiago, Chile Saturday. Two people were taken to the hospital in the incident which took place while the plane was on the ground at the Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez Airport.

The band, which was recently in Tulsa, reported the damage on their website.

"Ed Force One was this morning tethered to a tow truck to be taken for refuelling prior to flying  over the Andes to Cordoba for the next show. On moving  the steering pin that is part of the mechanism that connects the ground tug to the aircraft  seemingly fell out. On making a turn the aircraft had no steering and collided with the ground tug badly damaging the undercarriage, two of the aircraft's engines and  injuring two ground tug operators, both of whom have been taken to hospital. We hope of course that they make a full and speedy recovery and we will be closely monitoring their progress. The flight engineers are on site and evaluating the damage, but their initial report is that the engines have suffered large damage and will require an extended period of maintenance and possibly two new engines."

They made an update Saturday evening the two Chilean airport staff who were injured are expected to make a full recovery.

"We are happy to tell our fans in Cordoba that our Killer Krew has sorted out all logistics for us to be there with our full show for you all tomorrow. 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. More news on that later. Until then, believe me, we will get to you all on this tour one way or another wherever you are.

We are also delighted to say that we have been officially informed that the two Chilean airport staff who were injured following the malfunction of the tow truck connecting bolt will make a complete recovery. Best wishes to them and their families.

Up the Irons!  See you soon. And thanks Chile, what an amazing reaction and show!!"

Tulsa was one of only nine U.S. cities where the band is making a stop on its "The Book of Souls" World Tour. Ed Force One flew into the Tulsa International Airport February 25.