Incident Overview
Date: Friday 30 June 1972
Aircraft Type: Boeing C-135F Stratotanker
Owner/operator: L’Arme de L’Air
Registration Number: 38743
Location: ca 4 km NW off Hao Island Airport (HOI) –
ÿ French Polynesia
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6
Component Affected: Compressor fins and pressure tap ports supplying the Fuel Control Unit (FCU).Compressor fins and pressure tap ports supplying the Fuel Control Unit (FCU).
Category: Accident
A C-135F aircraft, deployed for weather reconnaissance during a nuclear test, experienced engine power loss and crashed into the sea. Subsequently, another C-135 stationed at Hao Island also experienced similar issues, attributed to corrosion of compressor fins and pressure tap ports, coupled with salt particle and dust ingress, leading to a blocked bleed valve. To mitigate this, the French Air Force implemented a systematic engine washing procedure to combat the corrosive environment.A C-135F aircraft, deployed for weather reconnaissance during a nuclear test, experienced engine power loss and crashed into the sea. Subsequently, another C-135 stationed at Hao Island also experienced similar issues, attributed to corrosion of compressor fins and pressure tap ports, coupled with salt particle and dust ingress, leading to a blocked bleed valve. To mitigate this, the French Air Force implemented a systematic engine washing procedure to combat the corrosive environment.
Description
The aircraft lost power on one engine and crashed into the sea while attempting to return to the airport. The C-135F was on a weather reconnaissance mission associated with a nuclear test. After this accident another C-135 stationed at Hao Island also developed engine problems. It was determined that there was significant corrosion of the compressor fins and of certain pressure tap ports supplying the FCU (Fuel Control Unit) with salt particles and dust from coral and that there was a blocked bleed-valve. To prevent this, the French Air Force began to systematically wash the jet engines after exposure to a saline atmosphere.
Source of Information
http://aviateurs.e-monsite.com/pages/1946-et-annees-suivantes/perte-du-c-135-473.html, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1857800699/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1857800699&linkCode=as2&tag=aviationsafetyne&linkId=6WZFGJMCUKQ5AWAHhttp://aviateurs.e-monsite.com/pages/1946-et-annees-suivantes/perte-du-c-135-473.html, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1857800699/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1857800699&linkCode=as2&tag=aviationsafetyne&linkId=6WZFGJMCUKQ5AWAHPrimary Cause
Corrosion of compressor fins and pressure tap ports, combined with salt particle and dust ingress, leading to a blocked bleed valve.Corrosion of compressor fins and pressure tap ports, combined with salt particle and dust ingress, leading to a blocked bleed valve.Share on:
