Military Training Aircraft Grounded Over Ejection Seat Concerns

A potential defect in cartridge actuated devices (CAD) used in ejection seats has prompted the grounding of hundreds of military aircraft including Air Force T-38 Talons and T-6 Texan IIs.

Kimberly Johnson

Friday, July 29, 2022 at 04:43 PM ET

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An Air Force pilot climbs aboard a T-38 before a training flight. [Photo: USAF Tech. Sgt. Erik Cardenas]

Key Takeaways:

Hundreds of U.S. military aircraft, including Air Force T-38 Talons and T-6 Texan IIs, have been grounded due to a potential defect in cartridge actuated devices (CAD) used in their ejection seats.
The defect was identified in devices manufactured by Martin-Baker Aircraft Co. Ltd., leading to grounding out of an "abundance of caution" for aircrew safety.
The grounding affects both Air Force training aircraft and various Navy and Marine Corps fighter and training jets, pending safety inspections and replacements.
Affected aircraft will remain grounded until their ejection seats are confirmed to be fully functional, with cleared replacement parts being shipped for installation.

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A potential defect in cartridge actuated devices (CAD) used to initiate ejection seats has prompted the grounding of hundreds of military aircraft, including U.S. Air Force T-38 Talons and T-6 Texan IIs out of an” abundance of caution,” according to service officials.

The devices are used in ejection seats manufactured by Martin-Baker Aircraft Co. Ltd., which notified Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) of the potential defect. NSWC IHD provides the devices for Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps aircraft.