Meanwhile: Another F-35B, a fire in the hold of weapons: an investigation, but tests continue

(Franco Iacch)
11/09/16

http://www.difesaonline.it/mondo-militare/f-35b-incendio-nella-stiva-della-armi-aperta-uninchiesta-ma-i-test-continuano

The Marine Corps has initiated an internal investigation to find out the cause of a fire that has developed in the weapon bay of an F-35B during a training mission in Beaufort, South Carolina, on October 27 last year.

In a note from the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, it is stated that "the aircraft landed safely, both the pilot and the ground crew were unharmed. An investigation is under way, we will provide details when they become available. "

The amount of damage, classified in Category A, would exceed two million dollars. Class A is also applies to incidents involving the death of personal aircraft.

The F-35B is currently deployed with both the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 that with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, Yuma, Arizona. The tests also continue regularly on the USS America.

The fire of 2014

June 23, 2014, the pilot of an F-35A Air Force assigned to the 58th Fighter Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, was forced to interrupt the takeoff "safely aborted the takeoff" (that is, so sure) and leave the aircraft because of a fire that now was spreading on the hunt. The driver was unhurt, but the episode led to the F-35 grounding of the entire fleet for a short period, the cancellation of the F-35B Marine presentation of the Farnborough Airshow, in England and a series of new tests on the apparatus driving. The cause of the fire that enveloped the F-35A, tail number 10-5015, was confirmed by the Air Education and Training Command. To have caused the fire has been a problem in the third stage of the motor module. It would be in an excessive friction condition ( "hard rub") between the blades of the turbine engine and the surrounding grille. Excessive overheating then shattered part of the rotor section placed in the third stage of the propulsion system module F135 Pratt & Whitney.

The loose cannon (you have to consider the timing, the problem occurred in a matter of microseconds) have been sucked in by the entire propulsion line, going to damage the inner tank of fuel and hydraulic. The wreckage of the shattered rotor then have pierced the upper part of the aircraft fuselage. The fire has developed because of the loss of fuel and hydraulic oil. The flames wrapped two-thirds of the aircraft. The F-35A cell in 2013 cost just over $ 100 million, reported damage to 50 million dollars. As confirmed by Lockheed, the engine problem would not be systemic.

The fire of 23 September

On September 23, an F-35A has caught fire during a training exercise at the Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The incident involved a F-35A from the 61st Fighter Squadron stationed at Luke Air Force Base. There were no injuries, the fire was extinguished quickly. The Air Force immediately opened an investigation to determine the nature of the accident. Under observation the F135 engine manufactured by Pratt & Whitney F-35. It ignores, finally, if the fire can be related to defective insulation problem that has grounded fifteen operational aircraft and affects other 42 F-35 production line.

The first hunting treated with the defective insulation, resumed flying last week. The only bad insulation was used in the model to the F-35. No problem for versions B and C. The JPO (Joint Program Office) reaffirms manufacturing defect and not a technical problem that could affect airplane performance. On 42 F-35A production line in Fort Worth, Texas, it was already used the defective insulation.

(Photo: DoD)

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IZAKOVIC