S-76 rotor blades put under scrutiny | Aviation International News

S-76 rotor blades put under scrutiny

Less than two weeks after the July 16 crash of a Bristow Sikorsky S-76A+ (G-BJVX) that killed all 11 passengers and crew when the helicopter apparently los

By Bill Wagstaff

May 5, 2008

Less than two weeks after the July 16 crash of a Bristow Sikorsky S-76A+ (G-BJVX) that killed all 11 passengers and crew when the helicopter apparently lost a main rotor blade and plummeted into the waters of the North Sea, the FAA issued an emergency AD covering all S-76As, -Bs, and -Cs. Preliminary investigations using data from the helicopter’s HUMS (health and usage monitoring) system traced the cause of the blade separation to a lightning strike incurred by the component in 1999. Further examination revealed an incredible coincidence.

Under the terms of the AD, operators must review their S-76 component log cards or other records needed to discover possible lightning strike damage. If a lightning strike did take place or if it cannot be determined one way or the other, then the new AD (2002-15-51) requires that blade be replaced before further flight.

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