Navy Tests Helicopter for Source of Vibration

A testing program to determine the seriousness of vibrations that have plagued the Marine Corp’s Super Stallion helicopter is 40% completed, including parts of a mathematical study that should have taken place before the aircraft was certified for service in 1981, the Navy reported Thursday.

The tests at Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, Conn., began last May, after Rep. Robert E. Badham (R-Newport Beach) called for the grounding of the entire fleet of helicopters so that military officials could determine the source of vibrations that have shaken the aircraft during flight, especially when hoisting heavy loads.

The helicopter, the largest in military service, can lift up to 16 tons or carry 55 combat-equipped troops. It has been involved in a string of accidents over the last three years that have left 20 Marines dead and 17 injured.

Badham’s office reported Thursday following a meeting with Navy officials that the “underlying cause” of the fatal accidents has yet to be determined.

“We’ve got mountains of data, but we haven’t got any conclusions yet,” Badham said. “It’s too bad it took so long to get this testing done, but I’m glad that Navy and the contractor paid attention when I told them it was needed.

“The inspector general has told me he would continue to keep me up to date on the testing and notify me of any significant findings immediately.”

Badham met Thursday with Rear Admiral Ming E. Chang, the newly appointed inspector general of the Navy.

Badham said it will be next summer before a “full mathematical model” of the Super Stallion will be available. The model will simulate helicopter operations, such as high-speed flights and heavy external lifts. According to Badham, Chang said the mathematical model should have been completed and studied before the Super Stallion first flew for the Marines six years ago.