B.F. Goodrich Company, headquartered in Akron, Ohio, was a major manufacturer of aircraft wheel and brake assemblies, rubber products, and friction materials supplying the US Navy and other military branches throughout the WWII and Cold War era. Goodrich’s aircraft wheel and brake products were used on Navy carrier-based and shore-based aircraft throughout the fleet, with the asbestos-containing brake linings in these assemblies providing the friction material required for aircraft braking operations. Aviation Machinist’s Mates, Line Division Plane Captains, and aircraft maintenance personnel performing brake inspections, brake lining replacements, and wheel and brake assembly overhauls worked with asbestos-containing Goodrich brake lining materials, accumulating asbestos exposure during routine aircraft brake maintenance operations.

Asbestos in B.F. Goodrich Aircraft Products

Goodrich’s aircraft brake products incorporated asbestos friction materials:

  • Aircraft wheel brake linings — B.F. Goodrich aircraft wheel brake assemblies used asbestos-containing friction materials in the brake lining components that contacted the brake rotor during aircraft braking operations. Aviation Machinist’s Mates removing worn brake lining assemblies from Goodrich wheel and brake units during periodic brake inspections and overhauls encountered asbestos fiber from the worn, deteriorated brake lining material. New Goodrich brake lining installation also released asbestos fiber from the replacement lining materials during installation operations
  • Carrier aircraft brake systems — carrier-based aircraft including F4U Corsairs, F6F Hellcats, AD Skyraiders, F-4 Phantoms, and A-4 Skyhawks used wheel and brake assemblies incorporating Goodrich and other manufacturers’ asbestos-containing brake lining materials. Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) personnel performing brake overhauls on these aircraft accumulated asbestos exposure during brake component disassembly and inspection operations
  • Brake dust contamination — normal aircraft brake wear produced brake dust containing asbestos fiber from the asbestos-containing lining material, with accumulated brake dust in wheel wells and brake bay areas creating an asbestos-containing dust residue that maintenance personnel encountered during wheel change and brake inspection operations

Shore-Based Vehicle and Equipment Brake Maintenance

Goodrich brake products also appeared in Navy shore vehicle and equipment maintenance:

  • Naval air station ground support equipment — aircraft tow tractors, fire trucks, and other ground support equipment at naval air stations used asbestos-containing brake linings from Goodrich and other manufacturers, with vehicle maintenance personnel at naval air stations performing brake maintenance on this ground support equipment

VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to Goodrich Products

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure from aircraft maintenance in Navy aviation activities. Aviation Machinist’s Mates and aircraft maintenance personnel who performed brake inspections and overhauls on aircraft with asbestos-containing Goodrich brake products and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.