One Aircraft Lost A Portion Of A Control Surface During Performance

During a performance at the Rockford Airfest in Rockford, IL June 7, Blue Angels #5 lost a portion of the leading edge flap on the left wing, according to the website Airshowstuff.com.

The site reports that the part separated from the airplane during a Line Abreast Loop. The pilot,  LCDR Mark Tedrow, completed the maneuver, but left some extra space between his airplane and the Hornet next to him, then landed his airplane without incident.

Tedrow then got into a backup jet and finished the performance, according to the website.

But the incident does point to some serious maintenance issues with the F/A-18 Hornets being flown by the team. Airshowstuff.com reports that a fisherman found a piece of a Blue Angels jet floating in a wetland area near Rochester, NY after a practice session May 23. That airplane part was reportedly returned to the team.

The website FoxtrotAlpha.com reports that the so-called "Hornet Rot" is a problem fleet-wide, not just with the Blue Angels. The planes have accumulated many more hours than was anticipated when they were put into service, and with delays in the F-35 program, may be operational through 2035, which is well beyond their expected service life.

(Image from AirshowStuff via Facebook)

FMI: www.blueangels.navy.mil