NDI: Keeping Aviano safe one crack at a time

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nadine Barclay
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Non-destructive inspections technicians are to aircraft as crime scene investigators are to humans as non destructive inspections technicians are to aircraft.

They detect flaws such as cracks, de-laminations, voids, processing defects and heat damage using penetrants, eddy current, magnetic particle, radiographic, and ultrasonic test equipment.

"In the maintenance world, NDI plays a very important and vital role," says Tech. Sgt. Tamika Williams, 31st Maintenance Squadron NDI NCO in charge. "We make sure that health and integrity of all the aircraft assigned to Aviano is maintained."

Annually, the 14-member NDI team inspects between 700 to 800 removable aircraft parts in house and 200 to 300 on-site jobs.

"When people think of NDI, they usually think of inspections using florescent penetrates but we actually have many different techniques that we can use to detect defects," said Sergeant Williams.

One of these techniques is Joint Oil Analysis Program, which is used to test oil samples from various aircraft for defects and debris that might be contaminating the aircraft. NDI can also provide full aircraft x-rays to search for cracks, foreign object debris, and water entrapment.

"When I explain to people about what I do for the Air Force, I say I'm like a doctor for aircraft," said Senior Airman Tonya Griggs, NDI technician. "We check oil samples like blood work. We take X-rays searching for corrosion and other defects, and we even use ultrasonic technology, similar to what a doctors uses, to find unbound areas on an aircraft."

Overall, the NDI laboratory provides vital maintenance on aircraft and systems that greatly impact the flying mission at Aviano.

"I love that my job is very fulfilling," said Airman 1st Class Tonya Tyson, NDI technician. "If I wasn't here to find cracks, scratches and those little defects that don't seem damaging, lives could be lost."