 CORPORAL GINA BURTON
On 11 July 2004, Corporal Burton, a journeyman aviation technician with the Task Force Bosnia Herzegovina Helicopter Detachment, was preparing to install the main rotor tachometer on a CH-146 Griffon which was undergoing a 600 hour inspection. It was during this time that she noticed that a main rotor hub pivot-bearing bolt appeared out of alignment with its witness mark. Upon closer inspection, this bolt was easily turned by hand. She immediately recognized this condition as extremely unusual as this bolt is not disturbed during a 600 hrs inspection. While rectifying this snag she also checked the remaining 7 pivot bearing bolts and discovered 6 bolts were in fact loose. With a spare main rotor hub sitting on the hanger floor, she proceeded to check this assembly as well, resulting in similar findings. It was at this point that the chain of command was informed and a local Special Inspection (SI) was issued.
The remaining Detachment aircraft, including those deployed to Banja Luka, were inspected. This local SI revealed that six of eight aircraft had loose bolts. Re-applying the correct torque and issuing a Conditional Inspection (CI) for a subsequent torque check after 10 -15 flight hours in accordance with applicable Canadian Forces Technical Orders instructions repaired all affected aircraft. If this condition had gone undetected, the bolt was free to back out and jam against the yoke, rendering the flight controls ineffective and potentially resulting in a catastrophic accident.
Corporal Burton's positive attitude and attention to detail are commendable. Her action in this matter has brought to light a potentially hazardous condition that is certain to have fleet-wide implications.
Corporal Burton serves with 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, CFB Edmonton.
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