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File: 980715_may96_sagwi1_0009.txt
Subject = COLLATERAL INVESTIGATION 22 DEC 90
Box ID = BX001415
Folder title = COLLATERAL INVESTIGATION 2
Unit = 24TH ID
Parent = XVIII CORPS
AFZP-VJA
SUBJECT: Collateral Investigation Narrative Summary
put out the fire. The efforts of crewmen with portable fire
extinguishers was equally futile. The tank continued to burn until the
ammunition cooked off and destroyed it completely after 12-14 hours.
The accident resulted in the complete destruction of the tank but no
injuries. 5 U.S.C. 552 (b)(6)
3. Discussion: The suspected cause of the fire, was an overheated
transmission, which caused engine oil temperature and transmission oil
temperature warning lights to display during the brigade
exercise (Exhibits 1, 2, and 3). The tank commander, =
turned over the tank to his gunner and assistant tank comman
i continued with the exercise from another tank.
the driver, stayed with the vehicle and
assisted -the mechanical in diagnosing the problem.
cleaned, unclogged the transmission oil coolers and the warning lights
went off overnight (Exhibit 4).
a. The tank continued to operate for several hours, during which
reassumed command of bumper #AGG. However, a second
problem
n@@lirrA,i later when the transmission would not shift into forward gear.oe
changed tanks again and eturned to correct the
problem (Exhibits 1, 2, 3, and 4). @ound the problem to be
the transmission thermal relief valves and recommended that the
transmission be given the opportunity to cool down and then return to
the company area where maintenance personnel could assist (Exhibits 2
and 4).
b. As the tank began the return road march at 1500, no problems
were experienced. At the 30 minute maintenance halt, after two hours
of operation, @gain cleaned the transmission oil coolers and
allowed the transmission to cool down (Exhibit 4). As the tank
completed the road march and entered the battalion area (800 m from the
company area) the warning light returned. ecided to
continue into the company area and seek assistance (Exhibit 1, 2, aid
3). As the tank approached the assembly area, it lost power, lost its
steering capability and finally aborted (Exhibit 3). The tank
commander and crew dismounted and sought assistance. The gunner and
driver noticed that smoke was coming from the engine compartment and
sought to extinguish the fire with both shots from the fixed fire
extinguishers. The portable fire extinguisher was also tried but the
fire continued until they were told to evacuate the tank and it began
to burn out of control. 5 U.S.C. 552 (b)(6)
C. The weather was typical for this desert climate and did not
contribute to the cause of the accident (Exhibit 4-9+ 9).
4. Conclusion: Considering the information available to me, I have
determined that the primary cause of the tank fire was probably the
overheated transmission. The precise cause of the fire cannot be
determined unless the tank is examined by tear down analysis; this
analysis may ultimately become available as TACOM representatives
indicate the tank will be shipped back to CONUS for further
examination. There is nonetheless sufficient evidence to support the
AFZP-VJA
SUBJECT: Collateral Investigation Narrative Summary
put out the fire. The efforts of crewmen with portable fire
extinguishers was equally futile. The tank continued to burn until the
ammunition cooked off and destroyed it completely after 12-14 hours.
The accident resulted in the complete destruction of the tank but no
injuries. 5 U.S.C. 552 (b)(6)
3. Discussion: The suspected cause of the fire, was an overheated
transmission, which caused engine oil temperature and transmission oil
temperature warning lights to display during the brigade
exercise (Exhibits 1, 2, and 3). The tank commander, =
turned over the tank to his gunner and assistant tank comman
i continued with the exercise from another tank.
the driver, stayed with the vehicle and
assisted -the mechanical in diagnosing the problem.
cleaned, unclogged the transmission oil coolers and the warning lights
went off overnight (Exhibit 4).
a. The tank continued to operate for several hours, during which
reassumed command of bumper #AGG. However, a second
problem
n@@lirrA,i later when the transmission would not shift into forward gear.oe
changed tanks again and eturned to correct the
problem (Exhibits 1, 2, 3, and 4). @ound the problem to be
the transmission thermal relief valves and recommended that the
transmission be given the opportunity to cool down and then return to
the company area where maintenance personnel could assist (Exhibits 2
and 4).
b. As the tank began the return road march at 1500, no problems
were experienced. At the 30 minute maintenance halt, after two hours
of operation, @gain cleaned the transmission oil coolers and
allowed the transmission to cool down (Exhibit 4). As the tank
completed the road march and entered the battalion area (800 m from the
company area) the warning light returned. ecided to
continue into the company area and seek assistance (Exhibit 1, 2, aid
3). As the tank approached the assembly area, it lost power, lost its
steering capability and finally aborted (Exhibit 3). The tank
commander and crew dismounted and sought assistance. The gunner and
driver noticed that smoke was coming from the engine compartment and
sought to extinguish the fire with both shots from the fixed fire
extinguishers. The portable fire extinguisher was also tried but the
fire continued until they were told to evacuate the tank and it began
to burn out of control. 5 U.S.C. 552 (b)(6)
C. The weather was typical for this desert climate and did not
contribute to the cause of the accident (Exhibit 4-9+ 9).
4. Conclusion: Considering the information available to me, I have
determined that the primary cause of the tank fire was probably the
overheated transmission. The precise cause of the fire cannot be
determined unless the tank is examined by tear down analysis; this
analysis may ultimately become available as TACOM representatives
indicate the tank will be shipped back to CONUS for further
examination. There is nonetheless sufficient evidence to support the
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