THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 7, 1995 TAG: 9502070355
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Short : 26 lines
The Air Force is inspecting the engines of 229 F-16 fighters after one of the jets crashed last month.
Blades in the F110-GE-129 engines are the focus of the inspections, most of which have been completed, Air Force Maj. Tom LaRock, a Pentagon spokesman, said Monday.
A jet from the 52nd Fighter Wing based at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany crashed in Belgium last month, possibly because of engine problems. Both crew members ejected safely. A flight restriction was ordered for aircraft with similar engines until the inspections could be completed.
The Air Force has 1,808 F-16s. Those with engines being inspected are flown by U.S. crews in Europe, the Pacific and the United States.
KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT MILITARY PLANE CRASH by CNB