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NDI safeguards aerial arsenal

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Chris Willis
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  The 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron Non-Destructive Inspection Lab uses high-tech equipment to see things that are invisible to the naked eye and aid in preventative maintenance to ensure aircraft stay flying over Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

Three preventative maintenance tests are constantly used by the NDI team here: x-ray examinations, magnetic particle inspection and oil analyses.

Using the same chemical process used for consumer camera film, the NDI lab develops their own x-ray prints in a dark room located at their shop. The prints are sections of the aircraft components to focus the search for any possible cracks or open spaces.

"Most cracks in the aircraft are not visible with the naked eye," said Staff Sgt. D'Shawn A. Jemmott, 455th EMXS NDI noncommissioned officer in charge. "With the x-ray, we are able to see beneath the surface of these aircraft parts to find the defects."

Pouring tiny fluorescent magnetic particles over the suspected damaged parts prepares them for metal inspection. The part is then magnetized and glows under a black light allowing for cracks and other defects to be detected.

"Several aircraft parts are ferrous, meaning they contain iron, and can be magnetized," said Senior Airman Hugo Garcia, 455th EMXS NDI Journeyman. "These porous metals react better to this method of inspection."

Oil analysis is performed during routine preventive maintenance to provide accurate information on lubricant and machine condition. By using a spectrometric machine, the NDI lab can tell the aircraft maintainers exactly which engine component is wearing out.

"Our oil analysis can detect if and when a plane is failing due to different metals breaking down in the engine," said Jemmott. "We then alert the aircraft maintainers to fix it or change it out."

Bagram's NDI lab works shifts performing hourly phase inspections, which consist of about 30 inspections apiece and analyzing more than 920 oil samples a month.

By confirming the structural integrity of the aircraft parts that can be corrected or reused and not just replacing them, the lab saves the Air Force time and money.

"The inspections we do of aircraft equipment ensure that the aircraft are safe to fly and aim to prevent any further damage from taking place," said Jemmott. "Our job is to keep the planes in the air."