AEROSPACE & DEFENSE

Crack Discovered in C-17 Landing Gear: The Air Force disclosed that a crack was discovered on a McDonnell Douglas C-17 cargo jet undergoing flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base. The service will not issue a formal grounding order, but decided against flying C-17s until all other landing gear is examined. The crack developed on a “trunion collar,” a circular reinforcement around the main landing gear strut. Such cracks are considered potentially serious. An Air Force spokesman said it appeared that the crack was caused by a shimmy unique to the one aircraft. The service believes that the problem can be solved by lubricating the landing gear strut.