Carbon monoxide poisoning -- perhaps caused by procedures unique to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson -- may be the cause of fighter pilot symptoms that led to the grounding of Air Force F-22 Raptors in May, sources tell the Air Force Times. F-22 pilots at Elmendorf, where most of the 14 affected flights originated, often start jet engines inside the hangar in winter, and the jets' oxygen systems may be taking in CO2 that is causing "hypoxia-like symptoms" in pilots shortly after takeoff.
The Air Force won't confirm that previously suspected problems with the jets' oxygen systems have been ruled out, says the Times. Capt. Jeff Haney of Michigan died in a November crash about 100 miles north of Anchorage, one of the incidents that led to the grounding of the F-22s.
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"I would think that it has something to do with exhaust flow somehow getting into the oxygen generating system," said Hans Weber, who sat on the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's Research, Engineering and Development Advisory Committee, and is president of Tecop International, a San Diego consulting firm.
John 12:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."
21 July 2011
Air Force Fighter Troubles: Alaska
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