Improper Disposal of Repairable and Serviceable Parts for F100 Jet Engines by the Air Force

In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Air Force's actions to prevent the premature disposal of spare parts and other materials for active weapons systems, specifically F100 engine blades. GAO noted that, between February 1984 and April 1986, the Air Force recalled over 28,000 blades from disposal and sent them for repair. GAO found that air logistics centers: (1) inspect all stocks on hand of first- and second-stage repaired engine blades; (2) recall certain uninstalled first- and second-stage blades for reinspection; (3) are developing guidelines to ensure that maintenance workers send only properly condemned blades to disposal; and (4) are implementing methods to account for all F100 blades the repair contractor receives. GAO also found that the Air Force may have prematurely condemned other engine parts and sent them for disposal.