Investigation finds faulty power supply part caused KC-135 nosedives

[rangerrebew]

Investigation finds faulty power supply part caused KC-135 nosedives
By Rachel S. Cohen
 Oct 21, 10:28 AM
 

The Air Force’s KC-135 Stratotanker fleet has returned to regular operations after the service discovered that a faulty power supply was to blame for causing two jets to unexpectedly nosedive earlier this year.

Problems with the power supply, a subcomponent of the autopilot system, in May led the tankers to malfunction and suddenly tilt toward the ground. Neither jet crashed because of the issue.

“[The subcomponent] was replaced and the system performed as designed,” Capt. Frederick Wallace, an Air Mobility Command spokesperson, said Wednesday.

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/10/21/investigation-finds-faulty-power-supply-part-caused-kc-135-nosedives/

[PeteS in CA]

I'm a bit surprised that a vital subsystem like autopilot doesn't have redundant power supplies, so that if one fails the other supplies full load.