Local News in Brief : Tustin : Super Stallion Copters Grounded for Inspection
The Marine Corps’ big Ch-53E Super Stallion helicopters based at Tustin Marine Corps Air Station were temporarily grounded this week for a mandatory inspection of a critical nut that holds the transmission on the aircraft. Most of the helicopters had been returned to service by Friday.
Marine Staff Sgt. Steve Short said the inspection was ordered from Marine headquarters in Washington after maintenance personnel discovered a scratch on one of the nuts, prompting fears that the scratch was a result of stress.
Short said the nut that anchors the main gear box was inspected on each helicopter. There are about 45 Super Stallions here with a like number at Cherry Point, N.C. All CH-53Es at both bases underwent the inspection, Short said.
Super Stallions were grounded twice in 1987 for inspections of a gear in the transmission and transmission bearings.
Crashes involving the controversial aircraft--the largest military transport helicopter outside of the Soviet Union--have killed two dozen Marine and Navy personnel.
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