F/A-18's have severe brake problems, page 1

posted on Aug, 5 2005 @ 07:11 AM

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Full 3 page AP analysis
WASHINGTON -- The front-line fighter jet of the Navy and Marines has suffered a series of recent accidents blamed on brake failure, exposing a problem that has spurred urgent warnings from commanders, military documents obtained by The Associated Press show.

Brake problems affecting the F/A-18 Hornet pose "a severe hazard to Naval aviation" that could kill pilots and ruin valuable aircraft, a Navy air wing commander wrote last year after one of his jets roared off a runway and splashed into San Diego Bay, destroying the $30 million plane.

The Navy ordered fleetwide inspections last fall and is continuing to investigate whether it needs to redesign the Hornet's brakes, as some commanders have urged. "This matter is by no means closed," said Navy spokesman James Darcy.

The maker of the jet, Boeing Co., deferred comment to the Navy.

"This trend of brake failures and blown tires cannot be ignored," Marine Col. Earl S. Wederbrook wrote to senior Navy and Marine officials after one of his jets spun backward on a runway from a blown tire in California. "Short of an aircraft system fix ... the pilot is the only control measure that can mitigate this hazard."

"Ultimately, the wiring harness needs to be protected or redesigned," Cmdr. John R. "J.D." Dixon wrote to senior Navy officials .

Failure to fix the problem "could lead to loss of use of the antiskid system, loss of normal brakes and potential loss of aircraft and life," Geron warned.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

^^A detailed look at the left main landing gear of the F/A-18 Hornet . The picture shows a tie-down ring, foreground, that is used to attach chains to secure the jet to the deck of an aircraft carrier. Chains can chafe against the antiskid braking system wiring shown to the ring's right. The wiring can then break, deactivating the system.

The article goes on to give details of several crashes and disasters due this problem ... hopefully it will be fixed.

[edit on 5-8-2005 by Stealth Spy]

Seekerof

posted on Aug, 5 2005 @ 07:27 AM

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This is only on the Legacy Hornets [F/A-18A/B/C], not the Super Hornets [F/A-18E/F].

seekerof

[edit on 5-8-2005 by Seekerof]

Figher Master FIN

posted on Aug, 5 2005 @ 09:45 AM

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Why have the problems accured now... Cos' they have already been in service for a while...

Daedalus3

posted on Aug, 5 2005 @ 09:45 AM

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I can see exposed pneumatic tubes in a couple of places..

Shouldn't they be enclosed or something??

Those are air pipes not wires, I'm speculating..

Figher Master FIN

posted on Aug, 5 2005 @ 01:26 PM

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And an other question, we all know hat the models come like this... A, one seated model, B two seated, C, one seated, D, Two seated... My question is, you said that the problems had accured in the A,B and the C model, but how come not in the D model wich is exactly like the C model exept that it has two seats...

COOL HAND

posted on Aug, 5 2005 @ 02:18 PM

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Originally posted by Figher Master FIN
And an other question, we all know hat the models come like this... A, one seated model, B two seated, C, one seated, D, Two seated... My question is, you said that the problems had accured in the A,B and the C model, but how come not in the D model wich is exactly like the C model exept that it has two seats...

That is because the D model does not get to spend much time on the carrier. The majority of the problem comes from the way that they were chocked and chained to the deck. You can't fault the plane captains, it is the way that they were taught to strap them down.

Needless to say, the problem won't be fixed overnight.

M6D

posted on Aug, 5 2005 @ 03:53 PM

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well, its just as much a design oversight really, which isnt the smartest thign ever, but i guess it isnt exaclty unavoidable, it just happens.