FED: RAAF grounds F 111 fleet with engine problem

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-1999
FED: RAAF grounds F 111 fleet with engine problem

The RAAF has grounded its entire fleet of F-111 bombers following discovery of a fatigue
crack in the aircraft's engine.

A spokesman for the Australian Defence Force says flying operations for all 35 of the
RAAF's fleet of F-111s has been suspended until the problem is rectified.

The spokesman says the problem, a crack in a tie bolt hole, was detected during engine
maintenance some time ago.

Continual monitoring has shown that the crack is expanding.

He says until the full cause of and the risks associated with this problem are known, the
fleet is suspended from flying.

However, he says the RAAF hopes to have the planes back in the air in a few days.

AAP RTV mb/wz

KEYWORD: BOMBER (CANBERRA)

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