Cracked wing hinge leads to Hornet inspections

[unhappycamper]

All 636 Navy and Marine Corps Hornets will be inspected.


Cracked wing hinge leads to Hornet inspections
By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Oct 25, 2008 6:38:32 EDT

The Navy has ordered an urgent inspection of the entire fleet of Navy and Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets after finding cracks in the wing hinges of at least 15 aircraft, Navy officials said.

The inspection bulletin, released Thursday, calls for all 636 Hornets in the two services — A through D models — to undergo inspection within the next 15 flight hours, including the 112 that are deployed.

“Those aircraft that do not pass inspection criteria will be grounded or flight restricted until failed material is replaced,” Navy spokesman Lt. Clay Doss said.

No aircraft have been grounded, Doss said Oct. 24.

The bulletin does not affect the newer F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/10/navy_hornetcracks_102408w/%2e



uhc comment: First F-15s, next F-22s, then A-10s and now the F/A-18s. It appears we are wearing them out faster than we can afford to build 'em.



on edit to add F-22s to the list.

[Angleae]

1. This problem isn't nearly as bad as the F-15 or A-10

It's a simple hinge fitting riveted to the trailing edge of the wing and can be simply replaced.