Strikemasters withdrawn

Press, 22 March 1986, Page 3

Strikemasters withdrawn

PA Wellington The Royal New Zealand Air Force has withdrawn three Strikemaster jet training aircraft from service on the recommendation of the aircraft makers, British Aerospace, Defence Headquarters said yesterday. The move resulted from a reduction of the wingfatigue life of the aircraft imposed by the company. British Aerospace had reduced the wing fatigue life to 70 per cent of that previously authorised by the company and the three Strikemasters now exceeded the safe life assessment, a Defence public relations spokesman said.

The British company intended to introduce a package of modifications

and subsequent regular inspections which the R.N.Z.A.F. hoped would return the aircraft to service without undue delay.

The effect which the withdrawal of the three aircraft from service would have on R.N.Z.A.F. training and operations, and the duration of the withdrawal, had yet to be assessed, the spokesman said.

The R.N.Z.A.F.’s 14strong Strikemaster fleet was withdrawn from service in August last year when cracks were found in bolt holes in the lower wing spars during routine inspections. Four aircraft • subsequently were cleared to return to service while the remainder were repaired.