{"id":63724,"date":"2021-04-23T16:56:14","date_gmt":"2021-04-23T16:56:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/04\/23\/entire-b-1b-bomber-fleet-grounded-over-fuel-pump-filter-housing-problem\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T21:09:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:09:05","slug":"entire-b-1b-bomber-fleet-grounded-over-fuel-pump-filter-housing-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/04\/23\/entire-b-1b-bomber-fleet-grounded-over-fuel-pump-filter-housing-problem\/","title":{"rendered":"Entire B-1B bomber fleet grounded over fuel pump filter housing problem"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Air Force has again pulled its entire B-1B bomber fleet from the skies as it investigates problems with a part of the fuel system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gen. Tim Ray, head of Air Force Global Strike Command, indefinitely grounded the service\u2019s 57 active Lancers amid safety concerns April 20, a command spokesperson said Friday. The War Zone first reported<\/a> the standdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDuring the inspection process following a B-1B ground emergency on April 8 at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, a discrepancy with an augmenter fuel pump filter housing was discovered,\u201d the command said. \u201cAs a precautionary measure, the commander directed one-time inspections on all B-1B aircraft to resolve this issue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those inspections pointed to deeper problems with the B-1B inventory, prompting Global Strike to stand down the fleet for a \u201cmore invasive\u201d analysis, the spokesperson said. That involves disassembling the filter housing and scanning it with X-rays and blue-light tools, according to the command. Once a plane is found to be defect-free, it will be reassembled, pressure-checked and returned to service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Global Strike did not immediately provide more details about the nature of the filter housing issue, but The War Zone reported that an inspection of one airframe on April 8 revealed a hole that can leak fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c86-0104 had been seen trailing a large plume of unburned fuel on landing,\u201d the publication reported. The problem also prevents bomber pilots from turning on the afterburners, which are needed for takeoff, The War Zone wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Air Force declined to answer whether issues other than the fuel pump filter problem have been discovered upon a closer look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are thoroughly investigating this matter,\u201d Global Strike said. \u201cMaintenance and operations professionals are looking into all aspects of the incident.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t