The Nation - News from April 21, 1989

The Air Force and Air National Guard grounded its fleet of 365 A-7D and K-model Corsair attack aircraft pending completion of an inspection for possible wing cracks, the Pentagon announced. Several small cracks were detected around the trailing edge of the wing by Air Force Air National Guard maintenance personnel, a statement said. The A-7 Corsair is a subsonic, single-engine attack aircraft, originally designed for the Navy. The A-7D model, which was developed for the Air Force, has been in service since December, 1968. The A-7K model is a two-seat version of the A-7D.