The Aviation Electrician’s Mate (AE) rating installed, maintained, and repaired aircraft electrical systems — wiring harnesses, generators, batteries, lighting, and avionics power supplies — aboard carrier-based and shore-based aircraft. The publicly filed asbestos litigation record documents AE exposure from asbestos-containing electrical insulation used in aircraft wiring and components, asbestos-glass composite electrical parts within aircraft systems, and asbestos-containing refractory and insulation materials encountered during aircraft maintenance in carrier hangar bays and shore-based maintenance facilities.

Documented Exposure Sources

Asbestos as Electrical Insulation in Aircraft

“As an insulation in electrical equipment” — corpus documentation of asbestos used as electrical insulation, appearing in multiple independent documents in the context of aircraft and naval electrical systems. AEs who worked on aircraft wiring throughout their careers regularly handled wiring with asbestos-containing insulation, particularly in high-temperature applications near engines, exhausts, and heating systems.

“Electrical insulation; compared to asbestos” — documentation comparing electrical insulation materials to asbestos, establishing the asbestos-electrical insulation connection in the technical record.

“Used as an insulation in electrical equipment” and “as an insulation in electrical machinery” — additional corpus entries establishing asbestos as a documented electrical insulation material in the equipment AEs maintained.

Asbestos-Glass Electrical Components in Aircraft

“ASBESTOSGLASS FIBRE / ELECTRICAL COMPO[nents]” — technical specification documentation of asbestos-glass fiber electrical components. Asbestos-glass composite materials were used in aircraft electrical components where both heat resistance and electrical insulation were required — terminal boards, junction boxes, and insulating panels within aircraft electrical systems.

“ELECTRICAL / INSULATION / WESTINGHOUSE” — Westinghouse electrical insulation documentation in the corpus, establishing that major electrical equipment manufacturers supplied asbestos-insulated electrical components for aircraft and naval electrical systems maintained by AEs.

“Cord insulation / Missile and aircraft” — documentation of cord insulation in aircraft and missile systems, establishing that the insulated wiring runs AEs maintained in aircraft contained asbestos-insulated cord.

Usage of Asbestos in Aircraft — Official Documentation

“Usage of Asbestos in Aircraft — Asbestos was [used throughout the aircraft]” — official documentation of asbestos use across aircraft systems, establishing the broad application of asbestos in the aircraft platforms AEs maintained. This record establishes that asbestos was not limited to one component or system in aircraft — it was a pervasive material throughout the aircraft of the relevant era.

“Aircraft components, including engine insu[lation]” — corpus documentation of asbestos in aircraft components including engine insulation, directly relevant to AE work on aircraft engine electrical systems (generators, ignition systems, engine fire detection).

“His Navy records indicated that he removed [asbestos]” — deposition testimony of a Navy aviation maintenance worker documenting the removal of asbestos as part of aircraft maintenance work, appearing in his official service records. AEs removing and replacing aircraft wiring in high-temperature areas routinely disturbed asbestos-containing insulation.

Aircraft Maintenance — Asbestos Refractory and Insulation

“Removal of asbestos refractory, insulation [in aircraft maintenance context]” — corpus documentation of asbestos refractory and insulation removal in aircraft maintenance operations, appearing twice in independent documents. AEs performing electrical maintenance in aircraft firewall areas, engine bays, and exhaust-adjacent compartments encountered asbestos-containing refractory materials used for heat protection around the aircraft’s hot-section components.

“[Plaintiffs — asbestos] Navy Aircraft Manuals” — litigation documentation establishing Navy aircraft maintenance manuals as a source of asbestos-related product information, used in formal asbestos claims by aviation maintenance personnel.

“Thermal insulation and in electrical machinery” — documentation of asbestos used in thermal insulation and electrical machinery, consistent with the aircraft electrical and thermal management systems AEs maintained.

AE Rating History

The Aviation Electrician’s Mate designation (AEM) was established in 1942, redesignated AE in 1948, and continued through the full asbestos era. AEs underwent formal A School training at NAS Memphis (Millington, TN) or other naval air training stations before fleet and squadron assignments.

“1969 — Aviation Electrician’s Mate 1st Class” — deposition testimony establishing a first-class AE’s service in 1969, documenting the rating in the career asbestos exposure context.

The Aviation Electrician’s Mate rating qualifies for VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) based on documented asbestos in aircraft electrical insulation, asbestos-glass composite electrical components, and asbestos-containing refractory materials in aircraft maintenance environments. The corpus directly documents “usage of asbestos in aircraft” and asbestos as electrical insulation in the systems AEs maintained.

Key documents for an AE claim:

  • DD-214 Block 11 — primary specialty showing AE rate
  • Ship and squadron assignments — carrier duty or shore-based squadron duty documenting aircraft maintenance work
  • Diagnosis — mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, or pleural disease

Civil claims may run against manufacturers of asbestos-containing aircraft wiring insulation, asbestos-glass electrical components, and asbestos-containing refractory materials used in aircraft maintenance.

Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 936-2956

All consultations are free. No fee unless a financial recovery is made on your behalf.

Exposure documentation derived from publicly filed asbestos litigation records including deposition testimony from Navy aviation electricians and aircraft maintenance personnel, technical aircraft component specifications, and Navy aircraft maintenance records. This does not constitute legal or medical advice.