Singapore grounds US-based F-16Ds after structural cracks found

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has grounded an unspecified number of Lockheed Martin F-16D multirole combat aircraft attached to its Peace Carvin II training detachment at Luke Air Force Base (AFB), Arizona, Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) revealed to IHS Jane's on 29 August.
The US Air Force (USAF) announced on 19 August that it had removed 82 two-seat F-16Ds from flight status after canopy sill longeron cracks were detected between the front and rear pilot seats. According to the statement, the structural defect was confirmed after officials ordered further investigations of all US F-16Ds under an "immediate action time compliance technical order (TCTO)" when the cracks were discovered during routine post-flight inspections.
janes