T-45 too complex; probe ‘flawed’

A U.S. Pacific Fleet review of rising physiological episodes (PEs), and the Navy’s process for response and investigation to them, has determined the oxygen-generation and cabin pressure systems of T-45C Goshawk trainers and FA-18 jets are too complex for reliable performance; and the process of its investigation is “fundamentally flawed.” Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Scott Swift, who led the review, summed up the challenge of addressing the ongoing in-air episodes by writing in a cover letter that “this is a complex issue, one without a single cause, and therefore, without a single solution. The only common thread running through all of these cases is that aircrew were physically affected.” The Navy has not allowed a single student pilot – at either Naval Air Stations Pensacola, Fla.; Meridian, Miss.; or Kingsville, Texas - to fly since late March, when a stand-down was ordered for the T-45C. The T-45 experienced a large increase in cases of hypoxia due to problems with the Onboard Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS). The report criticizes the OBOGS and the Environmental Control System (ECS). The integration of the OBOGS in the T-45 and FA-18 was inadequate to provide high quality breathing air allowing “contaminants” to enter aircrew breathing air provided by OBOGS and “potentially” inducing hypoxia.” Aging parts, inadequate testing methodologies and other factors are impacting ECS reliability, inducing decompression sickness. The report calls for a “comprehensive and holistic” depot-level effort to inspect the entire ECS and OBOGS systems beyond squadron-level maintenance. “Sometime in the next couple weeks” students will begin warm-up flights” using the new masks, Moran said; and after more T-45 modifications and changed are outlined, the training commands will ramp up full flight operations by the end of summer, Moran promised. (Source: USNI News 06/15//17)