F-15s undergo extensive technical inspections

by Tech. Sgt. Russell Wicke, Air Combat Command Public Affairs
An F-15C Eagle from Langley Air Force Base, Va., flies over Washington during an early morning combat air patrol mission in support of Operation Noble Eagle. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Greg L. Davis)

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- Air Force maintainers are now performing methodical and time-intensive inspections on all F-15 Eagles, models A, B, C and D, in response to the Dec. 3 stand-down order.

The decision follows additional information received from the ongoing investigation of the Nov. 2 F-15C mishap, which resulted in the loss of that aircraft. The Accident Investigation Board found defects which indicate potential structural damage in the rest of the fleet.

Maintainers at Langley have found no cracks or evidence of fatigue in F-15 longerons so far; however, throughout the Air Force, maintainers have found cracks in the upper longerons of eight F-15s (as of Dec. 10). Four of these aircraft are assigned to the Air National Guard's 173rd Fighter Wing, Kingsley Field, Ore.; two are assigned to the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan; another is assigned to the 325th Fighter Wing, Tyndall AFB, Fla.; and one assigned to the ANG 131st Fighter Wing, St. Louis, Mo.

Every aircraft will undergo all previously published time compliance technical order inspections. However, unlike in recent weeks, the cleared aircraft will not immediately return to flight. Technical experts at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Ga., are developing new inspection techniques based on findings in parts of the mishap aircraft. These inspections will be performed as soon as the new TCTO is available for the affected F-15s.

As part of the previous TCTO, maintenance crews around the Air Force are stripping paint and performing non-destructive inspections in the F-15's upper longeron just aft of the canopies.

Maintainers are working around the clock to conduct these inspections, said Capt. Timothy Blasiman, the 71st Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge.

Each of the 20 F-15s assigned to Langley require a minimum inspection time of 12.5 hours. Some F-15 models elsewhere require inspections that take more than 20 hours. The B and D models are more time consuming, said Captain Blasiman, because they have two seats. The rear seat requires removal to access the upper longerons.

Inspections are more than just a visual check, said Staff Sgt. Aaron Gammill. After the paint is stripped and bare metal is exposed, Airmen from the non-destructive inspection shop apply chemicals that reveal cracks under a black light. Other inspections in hard-to-see areas are done with a boar scope - a tool that uses a tiny camera and fits in tight areas.

Inspections must be meticulous because the nature of the problem could lead to loss of life or aircraft, said Bo Floyd, the Air Force F-15 Engineer Technical Services lead.

Air Force officials are not willing to take risks in this matter, Mr. Floyd said.

"Our mission is to generate sorties and maintain a combat-effective airplane here," said Captain Blasiman.

Inspection requirements are precise and demanding, said Ralph Farley, the ACC Engineering Technical Service representative.

"Pieces of the crashed jet have been (retrieved) and sent to the Air Force research lab ... to see what may have caused the aircraft to disintegrate," he said. "That information is going down to (our engineers) where they will determine how to inspect, what will be inspected and the form in which it's done."

Airmen from ACC and engineers from Warner Robins are doing everything to ensure the Air Force's F-15 fleet returns to flight safely, Mr. Farley said.

Officials stand down F-15 A-D models until further notice

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- The commander of Air Combat Command directed the stand-down Dec. 3 of all ACC F-15 A through D model aircraft until further notice.

The decision follows additional information received from the ongoing investigation of the Nov. 2 F-15C mishap that resulted in the loss of that aircraft.

Gen. John D.W. Corley, ACC commander, also recommended the grounding of all other A through D model aircraft in other Air Force major commands, including those under the operational control of U.S. combatant commanders.

Monday's findings from the accident investigation board indicate that a recently discovered defect may be more extensive and found in more aircraft than initially thought. These findings, based on a metallurgical analysis of the mishap aircraft, continue to focus on the F-15's upper longerons near the canopy of the aircraft. Additional cracks have been discovered in these longerons. The longerons are major structural components that run along the length and side of the aircraft.

Technical experts with the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., are developing a specific inspection technique for the suspect area based on the recent findings. However, unlike previous inspections, the inspected aircraft will not be immediately returned to flight.

The duration of the stand-down is pending. Aircraft will not be returned to operational status until the F-15 A-D model findings and data have been analyzed, required inspections have been accomplished and the necessary repair or mitigation actions have been completed.

Computer simulations have indicated a catastrophic structural failure could result from cracks in the longerons. To date, longeron cracks have been discovered in an additional four aircraft. These aircraft are awaiting further engineering instructions before they are returned to operational status.

Air Combat Command officials continue to work with those in the Air National Guard, the Air Force Reserve and sister major commands in Europe and the Pacific, as well as with joint and coalition partners, to ensure mission coverage.

The stand-down does not affect the F-15E Strike Eagle.

Training Air Wing 2 Resumes Flight Operations

By Lt. Sean Robertson, Chief of Naval Air Training Public Affairs

Training Air Wing 2 is expected to resume flight operations Oct. 2, a day after a T-45 Goshawk crashed about two miles north of the Naval Air Station (NAS) Kingsville on land owned by the King Ranch.

The crash was the second incident within a week for the Training Air Wing and Training Squadron (VT) 21. A flight instructor and student aviator safely ejected prior to the crash. Both were treated for minor injuries and released, Oct. 1.

Training Air Wing 2, including VT-21 and VT-22, conducted a safety stand down Oct. 2 to review standard operating procedures and Operational Risk Management measures. After the stand down was completed, the Training Air Wing resumed its flight training schedule.

“We took a pause for safety this morning to talk with our instructor pilots and flight students,” said Capt. Bill Davis, Training Air Wing 2 commander. “We always stop and review our procedures when something like this happens. We look at every aspect of our flight training and ensure that we are doing things the right way before we resume flying.”

All flight operations at NAS Kingsville were suspended Oct. 1 during the recovery efforts. Davis said he does not foresee any interruption to the Wing’s training schedule.

“I have full confidence in the T-45 aircraft and both of our training squadrons,” Davis said. “We flew almost 35,000 flight hours last year and historically, we have a very good safety record. At this time, the two incidents do not appear to be related other than the fact that they happened a few days apart.”

An investigation into the cause of both crashes is underway. Mishap investigation teams - including personnel from the Navy Safety Center and Training Air 2 - are on site conducting the investigations.

The crash site is only about a mile-and-a-half from NAS Kingsville, but located on an area of King Ranch that presents difficulties for investigators trying to access the site.

NAS Kingsville security personnel were able to make it to the crash site Oct. 1 by using ATVs with assistance from King Ranch personnel, but still had to make their way through heavily mudded areas in order to get to the aircraft.

The Navy is reviewing options on how to recover the aircraft from the scene. Meanwhile, the recovery of the aircraft from the Sept. 27 crash of a T-45 Goshawk attached to Training Squadron 21 should be concluded Oct. 10.