Bearing Problem Grounds All Large Navy Transport Copters

The Navy grounded all 199 of its largest transport helicopters Wednesday after discovering problems with a bearing in the main rotor.

The decision to halt flights of all “E” models of the CH-53 Super Stallion, as well as a variant called the MH-53E Sea Dragon, came after the bearing problem was discovered during an investigation of the May 9 Super Stallion crash in Connecticut that killed four crew members, officials said.

The Navy did not describe the bearing problem but said it is serious enough to prompt the indefinite grounding of all “E” models.

Spokesman Lt. Greg Geisen said he was unsure whether the bearing problem was identified as a cause of the May 9 crash at Sikorsky’s airfield in Stratford, Conn. The helicopter fell during a flight check before being delivered to a Marine Corps unit that provides support services for the White House. Super Stallions are not used to carry the president.