thedrifter
11-09-08, 08:59 AM
Report: Navy grounds 10 F/A-18 combat jets
Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Monday, November 10, 2008
Ten F/A-18 Hornet fighter-attack jets have been grounded after inspections of the wings revealed cracks near a critical flight control surface, The Virginian-Pilot reported Saturday.
Two of the planes were among the 112 deployed overseas, Lt. Clay Doss, a Navy spokesman, told the newspaper. The report didn’t specify where the Hornets are assigned.
Of the 476 planes inspected, 10 had defects serious enough to force their grounding, the Navy said. Another 20 planes will remain in service pending repairs, but their use would be limited.
According to the newspaper, the cracked surfaces were found in hinges that control the movement of ailerons, a part of the wing’s back edge that can be moved to cause the plane to roll in flight. Two weeks ago, the Navy ordered an inspection of all its Hornets for the defect, and it continues looking for a cause, Doss said in the report.
Ellie
Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Monday, November 10, 2008
Ten F/A-18 Hornet fighter-attack jets have been grounded after inspections of the wings revealed cracks near a critical flight control surface, The Virginian-Pilot reported Saturday.
Two of the planes were among the 112 deployed overseas, Lt. Clay Doss, a Navy spokesman, told the newspaper. The report didn’t specify where the Hornets are assigned.
Of the 476 planes inspected, 10 had defects serious enough to force their grounding, the Navy said. Another 20 planes will remain in service pending repairs, but their use would be limited.
According to the newspaper, the cracked surfaces were found in hinges that control the movement of ailerons, a part of the wing’s back edge that can be moved to cause the plane to roll in flight. Two weeks ago, the Navy ordered an inspection of all its Hornets for the defect, and it continues looking for a cause, Doss said in the report.
Ellie