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Engine problem grounds Skyhawks

PA Wellington The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s 12 Skyhawk aircraft have been grounded because of an engine problem.

The R.N.Z.A.F. announced yesterday that two cases of failure of bolts securing a bearing housing in the engines of Skyhawks had been discovered. The first incident was last week. The second failure was found yesterday. The Skyhawks, all based at Ohokea, were immediately grounded, and an investigation began. An R.N.Z.A.F. spokesman said last evening that all Skyhawk engines would be examined. The Air Force was also consulting the Pratt and Whitney company of the United States, ’the maker of the Skyhawks’ J 52 engines. “We are not aware of any similar problems . in Skyhawks overseas, but,- the investigation began only today.” the spokesman said. He said that the R.N.ZiA.F. expected that the first of the engines would be cleared for refitting early next week. The R.N.Z.A.F. bought the Skyhawks from the maker, the McDonnell Douglas .company, in 1970. There were originally 14, but two have crashed.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19830218.2.40

Bibliographic details

Press, 18 February 1983, Page 6

Word Count
169

Engine problem grounds Skyhawks Press, 18 February 1983, Page 6

Engine problem grounds Skyhawks Press, 18 February 1983, Page 6