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Helicopter gearbox fault found
Posted 14.05.2012 13:18:04 av John Bradbury
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Initial inquiries by the UK's Air Accident Investigation Branch confirm that a gearbox oil failure was the cause of the emergency ditching of  an EC 225 Super Puma helicopter last week.

The EC 225 Super Puma made an emergency landing in the North Sea 20 nautical miles north-east of Aberdeen at 11.12 am on 10 May and all on board escaped into life-rafts and were rescued.

In a brief initial report into the incident the AAIB announced it had found “...a 360° circumferential crack in the bevel gear vertical shaft in the main gearbox, in the vicinity of a manufacturing weld, causing disengagement of the drive to both mechanical oil pumps.”

This caused an oil warning light to illuminate in the cockpit's Central Warning Panel, which prompted the pilot and co-pilot to execute the emergency ditching of the aircraft, while it was carrying and 12 passengers. The AAIB initial report said the cockpit readings indicated zero on the main gearbox oil pressure gauge. Another warning also indicated failure of the emergency lubrication system.

Once the aircraft descended into the sea the aircraft remained upright, supported by emergency floatation gear.

All on board escaped via starboard cabin door. Six were rescued from the life-raft by a search and rescue helicopter, and eight were transferred to an RNLI lifeboat and brought ashore.

“Detailed examination of the failure to the bevel gear vertical shaft in the main gearbox and the reason for the indication of a failure in the emergency lubrication system continues,” the AAIB has said.

Helicopter operator Bond said the view of the AAIB confirms its own initial investigation of the cause of the emergency.

Meanwhile Bond says it will continue with its suspension of flights with the EC 225 Super Puma and with its AS332L2 helicopters which are also fitted with the same vertical gearbox shaft, while it works with helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter as a matter of priority  “...in finding a solution that will enable the helicopters to be returned to service.”


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