Photo by GySgt Daniel Devine, USMC
By Sgt Justin Kenney and Cpl Derrick Ybarra
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MLA-167 had a section of two AH-1W Super Cobras scheduled for launch to a nearby forward-operating base (FOB). Both aircraft took off, but one had problems with a 20 mm cannon shortly after departure, so it returned to base. The pilots landed and ordies dearmed the aircraft. The pilots rolled to the backup aircraft and continued their mission. As the aircraft were returning to base, Maintenance Control announced over the radio that one of the AH-1Ws in the returning section had a 20 mm cannon that wouldn’t fire. The ordnance line team prepared to dearm both aircraft. Knowing that the
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ordnance maintenance team would be working on the discrepancy, Maintenance Control told the team to download all remaining rounds from the linkless feed and gun systems. After both aircraft were dearmed and shut down, the team began the download, supervised by the quality assurance safety observer (QASO). The QASO then visually inspected the gun and feed chute for mechanical issues. The QASO cleared the area immediately forward of the aircraft but didn’t use the established checklist to visually inspect the feed chute, feeder, and gun for any remaining rounds. He started to duplicate the discrepancy.
Mech
