
But no one had any answers.īecause they try not to keep planes grounded for more than a day or two, Master Sgt. Metal particles were collected and given to Lockheed Martin, the C-130's manufacturer, hoping the company's engineers could find their source. The technicians noticed tiny metal shards in the pressurization system's air lines.Īirmen tried every repair listed in the maintenance manuals, but the problem would go away for one or two flights, then return. Some would vomit, and others experienced pressure buildup in their eye sockets, Tech. The effects were mostly minor but could potentially be severe. Crew members were on the ground yet still felt as if they were in the air, Tech. The health effects typically surfaced after the flights. Cabins would over-pressurize at certain altitudes, causing the physiological problems.

At times, the C-130s' pressurization systems could not be controlled manually or automatically. In February, maintenance technicians from the 403rd Wing began a hunt for a solution to the problem. Keesler's Hurricane Hunters fly the C-130J for weather reconnaissance.

The versatile aircraft serves as an attack gunship, a troop transport, a surveillance plane and many other roles. The problem was with the pressurization system on the C-130 Hercules. discovered the source, The Sun Herald reported.

The sickness was a mystery until a group of reservists at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss. Air Force's C-130 aircraft reported illness and, in some cases, excruciating pain after routine missions.
