Crack detection: An NDI story

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ethan Morgan
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  With cracks all over the world, it can be easy to overlook them, however, the 100th Maintenance Squadron Non-Destructive Inspection lab knows that some cracks aren't meant to be ignored.

NDI uses a collection of specialized analysis techniques such as ultrasonic, radiography and applied magnetics that enable a properly trained technician to evaluate the physical properties of an item or component without damaging it.

With the primary purpose of NDI being safety, members can expect the diligence NDI puts into their work to exceed expectations. Identifying structural weaknesses and defects in items before they break and fail on the job is the daily norm for the NDI lab.

This saves Air Force lives and money, said Tech. Sgt. Shaun Yuenger, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of NDI.

Although the planes here may seem to carry the bulk of the mission, they'd never make it into the air without NDI, said Yuenger. Not only do they keep planes safe to fly, they do it at as little cost to the Air Force as possible.

"NDI supports the Air Force mission by saving time, money and ensuring safety," continued Yuenger, "We're able to do this by examining the internal structure of an aircraft and its engine components for damage, without requiring the aircraft or engine to be disassembled."

NDI also saves the Air Force money by confirming the structural integrity of aircraft parts and machinery, enabling them to be reused, rather than automatically replaced.

"In order to prevent such an incident without NDI, all the high-stress components of the aircraft would have to be frequently removed and replaced with new components," said Yuenger, "Additionally, with no real way to evaluate the condition of the airframe, the aircraft would either have to be rebuilt or replaced every few years (depending on usage)."

While NDI here primarily supports RAF Mildenhall, they also lend a helping hand to RAFs Fairford and Menwith Hill, as well as to transient aircraft from around the world.

"Without NDI, air travel would be both actively dangerous and expensive," said Yuenger, "Aircraft are, in general, complex machines subjected to a great deal of mechanical stress. A major mechanical failure when flying will usually result in a loss of the aircraft, and in many cases, the people on board."