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Navy Halts TH-57 Flight Operations

Air Safety Week, March 10, 2008

The Chief of Naval Air Training has ordered a temporary reduction in flight operations of 108 TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters used by Training Wing (TRAWING) 5 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field, FL, because of safety concerns.

The decision was made after an investigation found suspected material failure of an engine component that could have a direct impact on safety of flight. This component, a bearing in the power turbine governor, was the cause of three in-flight engine failures in eight months, with the most recent occurring Feb. 25. All three aircraft landed safely with no injuries to personnel and minimal damage to the aircraft.

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"Safety is our biggest concern here," said Capt. David Maloney, commander, TRAWING 5. "We identified a problem and developed a plan to replace the faulty part. The frequency of the most recent engine failures demands caution."

A plan to remove and replace all suspect parts is in place. Engineers from Naval Air Systems Command are working closely with Chief of Naval Air Training and the TH-57 maintenance contractor, L-3 Communications, to develop a timeline to return TRAWING 5 back to full mission capability.

TRAWING 5 is comprised of three primary fixed-wing and three advanced helicopter squadrons and trains aviators from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force and allied nations.

Government Industry

Navy Halts TH-57 Flight Operations

Air Safety Week, March 10, 2008

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