5.16.2005

Welding Whistleblower

A whistleblower's complaint that unqualified Navy welders had inadequately soldered catapult hydraulic piping systems on the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk was substantiated in an Office of Special Counsel report to President Bush.

The catapults are used to hoist aircraft from the carrier's deck into the air, and a failure of the hydraulic system could result in the loss of the aircraft and the possible death of the pilot and others.

By sending the report to the president, Special Counsel Scott Bloch confirmed that the Navy's second report on allegations first made by whistleblower Kristin Shott in November 2001 is complete and reasonable.

The Navy inquiry found the defective welding would not likely cause catastrophic failure, but the report did not rule out the possibility, according to OSC.

The investigation by the Navy found that an integrated electronics systems mechanic continued to weld even after his supervisor knew that his certification had expired. The report also found that the Naval Air Depot's certification tracking system was deficient.

The Navy repaired the problems with the Kitty Hawk's catapult in November, and the depot is working to improve its training and recertification program. The mechanic was disciplined with a three-day suspension. His supervisor - who told investigators that he did not assign mechanics soldering jobs - was going to be demoted, but his apology prompted a delay and a 5- to 14-day suspension is likely.

The faulty welding found on the USS Kitty Hawk is related to the faulty welding found on five other aircraft carriers in a February 2003 investigation instigated by Shott's disclosure to OSC.

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