Video And Update: T-6 Grounded At C.A.F.B.

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Updated Press Release from CAFB:

COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. – Most of Air Education and Training Command’s T-6A Texan II aircraft should resume flying April 15 after a brief stand down following indications of an engine oil line malfunction last week.

The precautionary stand down of AETC’s 445 T-6A aircraft was ordered April 10 so that AETC officials, industry experts and the T-6A special program office could complete a fleet-wide inspection, formally known a Time Compliance Technical Order, to determine follow-up actions required.

That TCTO should be finalized this evening and sent to AETC wings responsible for T-6A training. All T-6As that pass inspection and don’t require further action will be immediately returned to flying status.

Safety of Airmen is a top priority of the Air Force, and the stand down gave maintainers the opportunity to verify proper function of the oil line on every T-6A aircraft.

AETC bases that fly the T-6A include Columbus AFB, Mississippi; Vance AFB, Oklahoma; and Laughlin, Randolph and Sheppard AFB’s in Texas.
We will provide more information as soon as it becomes available.

ENID, Okla. (AP) – The U.S. Air Force has grounded all its T-6A Texan II training aircraft because of a potential malfunction in the oil line of the aircraft’s engine.

The grounding, first reported Tuesday by the Enid News & Eagle, includes Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma; Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi; and Laughlin, Randolph and Sheppard Air Force Bases in Texas.

The Air Force Air Education and Training Command at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, issued the order because of the possible oil line problem.

Capt. Jason Smith with the training command says a total of 445 T-6A aircraft will be inspected and that it isn’t known how long the grounding of the aircraft will last.

The T-6A is a single-engine, two-seat trainer used to train pilot students in basic flying skills.