Aviation Structural Mechanics — AMs — maintained the airframes, flight control surfaces, landing gear, hydraulic systems, and structural components of carrier-based aircraft. AM billets were assigned to carrier air wing squadrons and to naval air station aircraft intermediate maintenance departments (AIMDs). AMs working inside the structures of older carrier aircraft — F-4 Phantoms, A-6 Intruders, A-7 Corsairs, and F-14 Tomcats — encountered asbestos-containing materials in aircraft construction from the engine fire protection zones, cockpit fire barriers, and high-temperature component insulation used in these aircraft designs.

Asbestos in Carrier Aircraft Structure

AMs performing structural maintenance on carrier aircraft encountered asbestos in multiple aircraft structural applications:

  • Engine fire zone insulation — the engine fire zones of jet aircraft — the compartments surrounding the engine that must contain an engine fire — used asbestos-containing thermal insulation and fireproof materials in their construction. The fire zone blankets, firewall panels, and thermal insulation materials in engine fire compartments of F-4 Phantom, A-7 Corsair, A-6 Intruder, and similar aircraft contained asbestos in the heat-resistant and fireproof blanket materials. AMs removing and replacing these fire zone insulation materials during engine change operations and fire zone inspection disturbed asbestos in the fire zone insulation components
  • Cockpit fire protection — cockpit firewall insulation and fire protection barriers used asbestos-containing materials in carrier aircraft construction of the 1950s-1970s era, with asbestos in the thermal insulation separating the cockpit from hot engine components
  • Brake assembly components — aircraft main landing gear brake assemblies used asbestos-containing friction materials in brake linings and in brake torque tube insulation, disturbed during brake overhaul and brake lining replacement performed by AMs in the landing gear maintenance cycle

Hydraulic System Maintenance

AMs maintained the hydraulic systems controlling aircraft flight controls, landing gear, and flight deck folding mechanisms:

  • Aircraft hydraulic system components — actuators, servo valves, and hydraulic fittings — used asbestos-containing gaskets in older hydraulic system hardware designs, disturbed during hydraulic component replacement and system maintenance

Carrier Hangar Deck Environment

AMs performing aircraft structural maintenance in the carrier’s hangar bay were in the ambient environment of the hangar deck — with asbestos-containing overhead systems and structural materials in the hangar bays of WWII and 1950s-era carrier construction.

VA Claims for AM Veterans

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure from aircraft maintenance at naval aviation installations. Aviation Structural Mechanics who performed aircraft structural and hydraulic maintenance on older carrier aircraft with asbestos-containing construction and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.