Some Are Refusing To Fly The T-45 Goshawk

Some Navy flight instructors say there is a serious problem with the oxygen system in the T-45 Goshawk, and more than 100 are refusing to fly the aircraft.

In an exclusive report from Fox News, the instructors say that the Navy's top leadership is not adequately addressing the problem, so they have stopped flying the T-45. One instructor told Fox News in an interview, "The pilots don't feel safe flying this aircraft."

The boycott started last week, and hundreds of training flights have been grounded due to the instructor's refusal to fly.

But the Navy does not know what is causing the issue. In an exclusive interview with Fox News, Naval Aviation head Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker said while the issue with the T-45 is the "number one safety priority" in naval aviation, "Right now, we don't have the smoking gun."

The faulty oxygen system is causing a condition called "Histotoxic Hypoxia". It is a disorientation disorder that can come on without warning. Two instructors told Fox News that there are about three incidents per week of the condition. One last August led to the instructor and the student both ejecting from the aircraft, resulting in its loss. Neither the student or the instructor were seriously injured.

As many as 40 percent of the Navy's instructor pilots refused to fly Friday, according to Navy spokeswoman Cmdr. Jeannie Groeneveld. Shoemaker said that the decision to fly rests with the pilot in command. There is not a 'Fly or else' mandate, he said. Training squadron skippers and commodores are advising their instructors to follow their instincts and not forcing them to fly.

(Image from file)

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