Navy air boss orders 24-hour squadron stand-down

The Navy's air boss has ordered a 24-hour stand-down of all non-deployed aviation squadrons due to an uptick in Class C aviation mishaps, according to an administrative message.

Vice Adm. Chip Miller, Naval Air Forces commander, sent a message to aviators May 1 highlighting the Class C mishap rate has more than doubled since 2012. In fiscal year 2012 there were 9.86 mishaps per 100,000 flight hours reported, while in FY-17 there were 20.25 Class C aviation mishaps. A Class C mishap is one in which the total cost of property damage is $10,000 or more, but less than $200,000. Additionally, injury results in five or more lost workdays.

"Data indicated that sailor experience and proper supervision are primary components of Class C prevention," Miller wrote. "Studies show that Naval Aviation's average E5 has 1.5 years less experience as compared with five to 10 years ago."

The majority of Class C mishaps are preventable and occur during routine maintenance.

Squadron commanders can choose which day to hold the 24-hour aviation stand-down between May 1 and Memorial Day.

"We've learned much from the comprehensive review that followed USS Fitzgerald and USS McCain mishaps. One of those lessons relates to fatigue," Miller wrote. "Crew rest policy was written in blood and as naval aviators, we strictly follow that policy."

Miller told his aviators the service will expand its crew rest policies both stateside and aboard aircraft carriers.