NEWS BRIEFS
Missing Fasteners On Military Aircraft Prompt ‘Executive Level’ Plant Review
Deficiencies in aircraft maintenance related to fastener installation have prompted the Pentagon to review its contract with Lockheed Martin, the Greenville News reports.
The Defense Contract Management Agency reportedly is overseeing a corrective action plan for Lockheed’s facility in Greenville, SC, where a government review discovered fasteners missing from repaired military aircraft.
Lockheed officials said that fasteners missing from wing installations didn’t create “immediate safety-of-flight concerns” and no aircraft required grounding for maintenance.
“A comprehensive engineering analysis concluded that the components missing fasteners had substantial margins-of-safety and determined future repair thresholds,” the officials said.
Lockheed officials confirmed that wing fittings were improperly installed on military aircraft during maintenance work in Greenville. But they insist that quality issues at the facility, which employs 1,000 workers, posed no safety risk to military aircraft.
“The important thing is we identified the problem areas,” and through a 180-day review known as Project Odyssey, “we are making the appropriate corrections to prevent any recurrence,” the statement said.
A DCMA evaluation in May found “deficiencies” that needed correcting, prompting a full facility review. Lockheed’s local site operations leader in Greenville, Bob Owenby, acknowledged the problem in an August 11 letter to employees.
“We are not where we need to be but continue to see evidence that our work force is committed to make the necessary changes at our site,” he told employees.
He emphasized that while Lockheed is meeting its corrective action goals.
According to Lockheed’s website, the 161-acre Greenville facility handles maintenance, modification and logistics support contracts through 14 hangars and 26 fully-equipped bays. Operations range from “large structural repairs to engine changes, flight control changes, airframe overhaul and interior refurnishment.”
Past programs have included transport and patrol category aircraft built by Lockheed Martin and other manufacturers. ©2010 GlobalFastenerNews.com
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