Barksdale, Tinker partnership repairs chronic B-52 fuel leak

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  A Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, B-52 Stratofortress' chronic fuel leak brought Barksdale maintainers and Tinker AFB, Oklahoma., aircraft technicians together over the last five weeks to resolve the problem.

The Minot tail, 61-028, was grounded July 23 for a thorough investigation into its fuel system, resulting in a month-long repair that, when complete, would allow the aircraft to resume safe, secure and effective global strike operations.

"There was a lot of fuel leaking down into the wheel well from the catwalk, which is a walkway that runs from the cockpit all the way to the tail," said Tech. Sgt. Aaron Finney, 2nd Maintenance Squadron fuels systems NCO in-charge.

Continuing to fly an aircraft with a fuel leak is dangerous due to risk of electrical fire, among other hazards.

"We first classified the leak as a grounding fuel leak, so we grounded the aircraft," said Finney. "If there was any electrical or oxygen work going on, it wouldn't be a safe environment."

The leak was determined to be in the center wing tank, where the aircraft wings meet the body, Finney said.

To find the leak's source, fuels Airmen ran tests using methods ranging from a soap solution to a detection powder, which changes color when it makes contact with liquids.

"We couldn't find much, but digging up the history of it from Minot, we noticed a trend of this area being a problem and being repeatedly fixed," said Finney. "In the field, we'd put a quick-fix on it until the jet could get back, but that would cost the Air Force more money in the long run, so a permanent fix is necessary to cut costs as well as keep the aircrew as safe as possible during the mission."

Tinker Air Force Base led the charge, providing aircraft mechanics with decades of B-52 experience who were able to use unconventional methods and provide deeper insight on the inner workings of the aircraft.

"We want to fix this as quickly and efficiently as possible," said Jeff Quine, 565th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft mechanic. "One of the strengths we bring is engineering, which lets us operate outside-the-box and utilize different leak-check methods [Barksdale] Airmen can't."

As of Aug. 25, the source of the leak was isolated and sealed off, and test results show no leakage. Tail 60-028 will continue to undergo routine maintenance so that it will continue to be a combat-ready force for nuclear deterrence support to combatant commanders.