Lawmakers: F-22 oxygen problem worse than thought


June 14, 2012 at 2:57p.m.

Lawmakers: F-22 oxygen problem worse than thought

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Two members of Congress say new information from the Air Force shows an oxygen-deficit problem on F-22 fighter jets is worse than previously disclosed.

Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia and Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois said today that through May 31, the Air Force reported more than 26 incidents of apparent oxygen deprivation per 100,000 flight hours. They say that’s at least 10 times higher than that of any other Air Force aircraft.

The Air Force grounded its F-22s for about four months last year because of the problem. In May, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta ordered new flight restrictions on the F-22 and directed the Air Force to enlist the help of Navy and NASA experts to determine why some pilots continue to experience dizziness and other symptoms while flying.