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The U.S. Army has grounded its fleet of workhorse H-47 Chinook helicopters, a symbol of America’s wars from Vietnam to the Middle East, after experiencing several engine fires, the Army said on Tuesday.
The move will take some 400 well-equipped heavy-duty Chinooks out of service after engine maker Honeywell said some planes used “suspect O-rings” that did not meet its specifications.
“The Army has determined the root cause of a fuel leak that caused a small number of engine fires in a small number of H-47 helicopters and is taking corrective action to address the issue,” Army spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said.
“While no casualties have occurred, out of an abundance of caution, the Army has temporarily grounded the H-47 fleet until these corrective measures are completed,” she said in a statement.
Originally known as the CH-47 and in service with the US Armed Forces as well as the UK and nearly 20 other countries, the Chinook was built by Boeing.
The helicopter has two rotors, can carry heavy loads, and is well equipped for combat situations.
They are also frequently used in disaster relief missions.
Earlier this year, Germany announced it would buy 60 aircraft.
Argentina and the Philippines are also lining up to buy some helicopters not made in Russia.
Honeywell said it was not responsible for the faulty O-rings, but did not identify where they were made or who installed them.
“The U.S. Army and Honeywell are able to confirm that none of the O-rings in question were produced by Honeywell or part of Honeywell’s overhauled engines, nor were they part of them,” the company said.
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