Scotland Super Puma Crash Warrants Special Bulletin

By: David A. Lombardo

July 29, 2009
Maintenance and Modifications

The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has issued a special bulletin concerning the April 1 crash of a Eurocopter AS 332L2 Super Puma in the sea near Peterhead, Scotland. The investigation has determined that a failure within the epicyclic reduction gearbox module of the main rotor gearbox caused the rupture of the gearbox case, which allowed the main rotor head to separate from the helicopter.

The remains of the epicyclic gearbox and associated areas of the helicopter are still undergoing examination. Eurocopter had issued two Alert Service Bulletins mandated by EASA Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2009 0087 E, which requires enhanced monitoring of the magnetic plug of the main rotor gearbox epicyclic reduction gear module.

Safety Recommendation 2009-051 recommends that Eurocopter, with the EASA, develop and implement an inspection of the internal components of the main rotor gearbox epicyclic module for all AS 332L2 and EC 225LP helicopters as an urgent matter to ensure the continued airworthiness of the main rotor gearbox.

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