The Region - News from July 3, 1987

The Marine Corps grounded its fleet of CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters for the second time this year, citing transmission problems with the model that has been plagued by accidents and 20 deaths. Three recent malfunctions of newly replaced transmission components led to the grounding order, the Marines said. No injuries or aircraft damage resulted from the most recent malfunctions, which occurred on Super Stallions based at the Marine Corps Air Station in Tustin, said Staff Sgt. Jim Hager, a base spokesman. One of the malfunctions prompted a forced landing, he added. The transmission troubles are the latest problems to plague the aircraft. Since 1984, there have been seven crashes that have killed 20 Marines and injured 17. The helicopter entered service in 1981. None of the fatal crashes has been attributed to transmission failure.