DATE:05/12/07
SOURCE:Flightglobal.com
USAF F-15s remain grounded as more cracks found
By Graham Warwick
US Air Force Boeing F-15A-Ds are to remain grounded, even after
structural inspections are completed, until investigation of the
November crash is complete and a solution to fuselage longeron
cracking is developed.
The F-15s had been returning to flight after undergoing
inspections, called time compliance technical orders (TCTO), but on
3 December the head of USAF Air Combat Command, Gen John Corley,
ordered the aircraft to remain grounded.
ACC says the decision followed a briefing on the investigation into
the 2 November crash of a Missouri Air National Guard F-15C
following structural failure, in which investigators reported they
had found additional longeron cracking in the mishap
aircraft.
Longeron cracks were found in the area of the cockpit sill (from
Flight cutaway of the F-15A)
Since ordering inspection of all F-15A-Ds, the USAF has found
longeron cracks in two aircraft operated by the Oregon Air National
Guard. Both were built in the early 1980s, and are about the same
age as the Missouri mishap aircraft, says ACC.
Additional TCTOs were ordered on 29 November and so far more than
195 of the USAFs 445 F-15A-Ds have undergone these inspections,
says the command. The TCTOs are still out there, and aircraft will
still undergo inspection, but even if they pass they will not fly,
says ACC.
The command does not know whether the solution to the cracking
problem will be a repair, more TCTOs or what, and we are not
putting a date to it.
Grounding of the F-15s continues to be used by US Air Force
leadership to underline its need for additional funding to continue
procurement of the Lockheed Martin F-22A beyond the planned 183
aircraft.
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/12/05/220089/usaf-f-15s-remain-grounded-as-more-cracks-found.html
