Root Cause Analysis, Tank Fire Problem, M1A1 Main Battle Tank

Abstract

This analysis identifies the root cause of two M1A1 tank fires involving 120 mm M856 target practice cone stabilized discarding sabot tracer (TPCSDS-T) ammunition during tank gunnery exercises in Germany. The first fire, 4 July 1988, did not involve any personal injury. The fire on 14 August 1988 was lethal, killing the tank commander and gunner. The failure investigation strategy (described in the report) is a method for increasing the assurance that the root cause of the problem is identified, and provides a detailed record of the study which can be reviewed by management or impartial review boards. This case study provides a summary of the major activities performed by the root cause analysis team. The methodology identified the most probable root cause of the tank fire problem. Keywords: 120-mm Ammunition, Tank fires, M865 Ammunition, Catcher box, Cartridge case base, Root cause analysis, M1A1 Tank fires.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA205466

Entities

People

  • John Dowalgo

Organizations

  • United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ammunition
  • Cartridge Cases
  • Case Studies
  • Classification
  • Engineering
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Fire Protective Clothing
  • Fires
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Human Systems Integration
  • Ignition
  • Munitions
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Propellants
  • Protective Clothing
  • Systems Engineering
  • Training

Fields of Study

  • Engineering
  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aviation Safety Risk Assessment.
  • ballistics.