More than 100 C-130 Air Force planes grounded after propeller blades were repeatedly scratched and cracked during inspections
More than 100 C-130s were grounded by the Air Force after their propeller blades burst
It is suspected that the cracks were etched with arc pins during the maintenance of the depot over the past ten years
Technicians use an electric arc pen to scratch numbers into the blades to indicate the inspection has been completed
The procedure stopped about ‘six months ago and will not be used in the future’
Some planes have flown again, but it’s unclear when the rest will be released to take off
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More than 100 C-130 Air Force planes have been grounded after propeller blades were discovered to have cracks.
The Air Force suspected the cracks were a byproduct of repeated scratching over a decade of inspection.
During maintenance, technicians use an arc flash pen to scratch numbers into the blades to indicate that the inspection has been completed.
“The process used to engrave serial numbers on the propellers likely contributed to cracks found on the C-130Hs,” said Major Beau Downey. Defense One.
Technicians “discontinued this procedure about six months ago and will no longer use it in the future.”
The etching is completed during ‘depot maintenance’ at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex in Georgia.
The base ‘inspects, overhauls and tests’ damage that cannot be repaired outside the depot.
More than 100 C-130s were grounded by the Air Force after the propeller blades cracked. It is suspected that the cracks were etched with arc pins during the maintenance of the depot over the past ten years
A total of a 116 H model C-130 is out of service as the military works to repair them
Technicians at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex (pictured) in Georgia use an electric arc pen to scratch numbers into the blades to indicate the inspection has been completed. The procedure stopped about ‘six months ago and will not be used in the future’
“This process involves complex inspections and repairs that cannot be performed at the unit level outside the depot.”
Although the military has not confirmed that etchings caused the cracks, the damage grounded 116 aircraft, or about 20 percent of the C-130 fleet.
Further investigation will be conducted into the ‘root cause of the cracks’, Downey said.
‘The [Air Force] is working on a multifaceted recovery plan to resume safe aircraft operations as soon as possible,” Downey said. “This will be an incremental process based on operational priority and our focus remains the safety of our crews.
“Right now, our focus is on returning these aircraft safely and quickly to support the mission.”
A small number of planes are back in the air.
The military doesn’t know when the rest of the planes will fly again, saying it’s “ongoing process to acquire available prop barrels, including scouring the world for stock of the H-model prop.” -vessels that our maintainers can fix up.’
The current H models have been part of the Air Force since the 1970s. The Air Force has more than 450 C-130s in rotation, of which about 200 are H models.
The etching is completed during ‘depot maintenance’ at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex in Georgia. The base ‘inspects, overhauls and test’ damage that cannot be repaired outside the depot
Mainly used for tactical missions, the H models are capable of operating in rugged, unpaved areas and are primarily used to drop troops and equipment into enemy areas.
It has also been used throughout the US, as well as Europe, the Pacific Air Force, and the National Guard.
The C-130 entered combat in the 1950s during the Korean War after the military realized it needed an aircraft that could carry troops over medium ranges.
By December 1956, 230 C-130As were in circulation and more models were to be made.
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