Turbine Wheel Markings (Read 514 times)

Really, they have done that?

I can't see any reason for removing the red turbine wheel stripe.
It's a safety issue thing.

All of us aircraft technicians know that is a place you do not want to spend much time in durning jet engine operation.

Case in point.

Happened at Sembach Air Base, West Germany (circa 1979) as I was there.
Engine troops were doing an engine run about 100 yards away from my location on an OV-10A Bronco.

As it was told to me by the engine run operator:
"Was running the engine at part power when the number 1 engine oil system chip light came on. Advised the ground observer of the chip light and shutdowning of the engine. As the throttle was retarted, the engine exploded and there was fire and smoke."

After engine start the ground observer/fireguard moved the fire extingusher bottle over and off the left wing (#1 engine side) and stood there. He did now want to stand out infront of the Bronco aircraft with two spinning propellers that were going to be a power and full torque settings just incase brakes failed and it jumped chockes. I would not stand there myself, but I sure would not be inling the that red stripe either.

As the engine operator retarded the throttle towand shutdown the engine froze and the turbine broke loose going upward and busting open the fuel tank, thus gausing the fire. The turbine blades went flying out into the "plane of rotation" into pieces. One piece hit the ground observer in the leg and the other hit him in the jaw.

This young was quite a good troop and very eager to learn and do his job.
With shaprnel in his leg and jaw he pulled the hose from the fire bottle and started fighting the fire. The fire department arrived and took over fire fighting, and the base ambulance took him away.





I just find it hard to believe they have done away with that red warning stripe.

I'm going to ask my daughter, as she and her husband both work C-17's at Dover AFB.