Safety concerns ground aircraft Published Jan. 13, 2004 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) -- Forty-five aircraft assigned here have been grounded amid safety concerns after Air Force quality assurance evaluators discovered contractor maintenance irregularities. The grounding affects cadets participating in soaring and parachute training, and the Cadet Flying Team.Safety concern was heightened following the Jan. 2 engine failure of a twin-engine UV-18 Twin Otter aircraft used to support cadet parachute training. The aircraft was en route to Florida to pick up cadets participating in a parachuting competition and landed safely at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. There were no passengers on board.Academy aircraft maintained by Doss Aviation are grounded while 34th Training Wing officials review and investigate contractor discrepancies. The contractor has directed an immediate independent audit of company operations here. Company auditors will look at maintenance and management practices. Academy officials will work closely with the auditors and provide oversight and assistance, according to an academy news release.The release said academy officials will keep affected aircraft on the ground until confidence is restored in the safety of the maintenance program and permanent fixes are in place for all discrepancies identified. Affected squadrons and aircraft include: UV-18s of the 98th Flight Training Squadron, TG-10B\C\D unpowered gliders and TG-14 motorgliders of the 94th FTS, and T-41s and Cessna 150s of the 557th FTS. Introductory flight training conducted by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University continues under the supervision of the 557th FTS. This mission is conducted in DA-20 aircraft maintained by university employees. IFT is a required prerequisite for all U.S. Air Force pilot training candidates.