F/A-18 cut

Joseph Rabon, Willie Hillsman, and Wilfredo Tuscano, left to right, look at the F/A-18D engine bay that caught on fire at the Test Line. Hillsman is holding the power transmission shaft that caused the fire. Photo by Scott Janes

3 artisans save F/A-18D from major damage

By Bill Bartkus
NAVAIR Depot North Island

CORONADO, Calif. – Quick thinking by three artisans at the NAVAIR Depot North Island Test Line saved a multi-million dollar fighter aircraft from being destroyed.
Joseph Rabon, an aircraft systems inspector, was running high power on an F/A-18D aircraft when he heard an explosion. “I looked outside and saw the ground crew reacting rather fast. Willie (Hillsman) and Willy (Tuscano) did what they were supposed to do,” he said. Hillsman and Tuscano, are both aircraft mechanics.
Tuscano, the lead check on the engine, noticed smoke and fire coming from the bay door. At the same time, Hillsman gave Rabon the figure eight sign for a fire and to shut down the engine. Then Hillsman ran to get the fire bottle, and Tuscano put out the fire while Rabon was still in the cockpit.
Rabon said that the fire was quickly extinguished and the aircraft didn’t sustain any further damage. “The aircraft fire light in the cockpit didn’t come on. The fire was out in a matter of seconds,” he said.
“Had this accident happened while in flight, there is no telling what would have happened,” said Rabon. “It’s possible that the pilot would have had to bail out, and the aircraft would have crashed.”
According to Rabon, the Hornet’s power transmission shaft ruptured and damaged the engine fuel lines, the oil tank, and the variable exhaust nozzle actuator.
Once the depot’s Engineering Department assessed the damage, the three artisans repaired the Hornet.
“The team acted in a truly professional and well orchestrated manner and saved the aircraft,” said Arthur Cardone, the artisans’ supervisor. “The men returned this aircraft to service, and it’s ready to fly again.” He said that Rabon, Tuscano and Hillsman operate as a great team, “and I keep them together because they are so professional.”
This was the first time that anything like this has happened to the three-man team. But quick thinking by all three saved the Navy a valuable aircraft.
The three men received awards for their skill and their quick action.
NAVAIR provides advanced warfare technologies through the efforts of a seamless, integrated, worldwide network of aviation technology experts. From aircraft and weapons development to carrier launch and recovery; from sensors to real-time communications to precision targeting; from aircraft and weapons sustainment to state-of-the-art training; NAVAIR provides dominant combat effects and matchless capabilities to the American warfighter