Helicopter ditches . . .
Re: Helicopter ditches . . .
Just spotted that. Hopefully all got out okay. Scotia this time. What's the betting it's another EC225?
Exige V6
Re: Helicopter ditches . . .
Just found this link reporting all onboard have survived. http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article1268201.ece
Exige V6
Re: Helicopter ditches . . .
Another EC225 I'm afraid.
Re: Helicopter ditches . . .
Just heard this from Jamie, but looks like a controlled ditching and everybody OK.
Should get more details in the next few hours. E-mailed Bristow Ops so they will come back if they get more info.
tut
Should get more details in the next few hours. E-mailed Bristow Ops so they will come back if they get more info.
tut
- scottishselise
- Posts: 1340
- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2008 8:34 am
Helicopter ditches . . .
Gearbox issue suspected again
Re: Helicopter ditches . . .
1994 Lotus Esprit S4 - Work in progress
1980 Porsche 924 Turbo - Funky Interior Spec
2004 Smart Roadster Coupe - Hers
1980 Porsche 924 Turbo - Funky Interior Spec
2004 Smart Roadster Coupe - Hers
Re: Helicopter ditches . . .
A lucky escape for all involved by the look of things. Another cracked gear ring resulting in loss of gearbox lubrication. The 225 doesn't have the best of records 

Elise S2 260
BMW M2 Comp
RRS HST
BMW R1300GS
BMW M2 Comp
RRS HST
BMW R1300GS
Re: Helicopter ditches . . .
Skimmed it. Looks like they thought they'd a known set of P/Ns & S/Ns? Will be interesting to see what they do with the AD, increase frequency &/or sophistication of the inspections too get them airborne again? What's the typical number of cycles a Heli 'box sees between overhauls? Wonder if there's an overhaul shop somewhere getting ready for an influx....
Re: Helicopter ditches . . .
As a pilot I would certainly be concerned with what has happened.
Two identical failures inside a few months should not occur, I do not know what action was taken after the first incident, but it looks as if a complete redesign of the component is necessary. For the shaft to completely crack next to the welded section twice in a row just points to it happening again.
They have been lucky with the weather so far, and if the pilots had not carried out an immediate ditching the gearbox would have had a catastrophic failure very shortly after. The outcome would be completely different if it happened again on a stormy night in Winter with the aircraft half way between the land and the platform and rescue possibly an hour away, even if it had been possible to deploy the life-rafts and get the passengers in. Our training was carried out in a warm swimming pool.
I could say that it is not my worry, but Luke is on one of those helicopters every two weeks.
tut
Two identical failures inside a few months should not occur, I do not know what action was taken after the first incident, but it looks as if a complete redesign of the component is necessary. For the shaft to completely crack next to the welded section twice in a row just points to it happening again.
They have been lucky with the weather so far, and if the pilots had not carried out an immediate ditching the gearbox would have had a catastrophic failure very shortly after. The outcome would be completely different if it happened again on a stormy night in Winter with the aircraft half way between the land and the platform and rescue possibly an hour away, even if it had been possible to deploy the life-rafts and get the passengers in. Our training was carried out in a warm swimming pool.
I could say that it is not my worry, but Luke is on one of those helicopters every two weeks.
tut
Re: Helicopter ditches . . .
Does seem very strange and worrying that 2 apparently unrelated parts fail in such quick succession.
1994 Lotus Esprit S4 - Work in progress
1980 Porsche 924 Turbo - Funky Interior Spec
2004 Smart Roadster Coupe - Hers
1980 Porsche 924 Turbo - Funky Interior Spec
2004 Smart Roadster Coupe - Hers
Re: Helicopter ditches . . .

Ross
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
2017 Schkoda Yeti
2x Hairy GRs (not Toyota)
Now browsing the tech pages

---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
2017 Schkoda Yeti
2x Hairy GRs (not Toyota)
Now browsing the tech pages


Re: Helicopter ditches . . .
Anyone know what the part is welded as opposed to one piece?
Motorsport K20 Elise
Re: Helicopter ditches . . .
Why?foz01 wrote:Anyone know what the part is welded as opposed to one piece?
Probably due to the design. It'd be quite difficult I'd think to make a complex shaft & bevel gear one piece. I'd guess the gear is possibly electron beam welded to the shaft to give an excellent clean, strong,weld and the weld x-ray'd. Just to be clear, I'm not at all familiar with this shaft, basing the above on experience of other part I assume to bear a similarity.
Tut, it may well not be the design thats the issue. It could be any number of other factors; maintenance, inspections, material spec, material deficiency... Know of something similar recently in the industry where it was the coating on the part causing a shaft fracture. The AAIB & I'd guess EASA as the airframe certifier will be all over it anyway.