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According to the Air Force Times,\u00a0 mechanics working on an F-35 last year misplaced a flashlight while working on an engine.<\/p>\n
The item \u2014 a handheld flashlight \u2014 was sucked into the engine\u2019s air intake during a maintenance ground run on the night of March 15, Air & Space Forces Magazine first reported. The aircraft belonged to the 56th Fighter Wing.<\/p>\n
During an idling procedure, a team of three maintainers started the engine without issue before going through typical checks, including idling for five minutes to monitor for fuel leaks.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t until the airmen turned off the engine that anything seemed amiss. During the shutdown, one maintainer noted \u201cabnormal noises.\u201d None of the airmen were injured.<\/p>\n
One of the maintainers carried out a tool inventory check after installing a \u201cmetering plug into an engine fuel line,\u201d the investigation noted. The process took place before another maintainer used the flashlight to carry out a \u201cBefore Operations Servicing\u201d inspection, the report said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Abnormal noises can be pricey.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, the mishap damaged the aircraft\u2019s second stage rotor, third stage rotor, fifth stage rotor, sixth stage rotor, fuel nozzle, bypass duct, high pressure compressor, high pressure turbine and fan inlet variable vane, the report found.<\/p>\n
In total, the estimated cost of damages associated with the accident came in at $3,933,106.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n