Offshore Helicopter Involved In Incident: Coast Guard

[Icewind]

Why we should be very careful before believing what the media puts out !

Some newspaper quotes:

 

BCLocalNews - ‎Mar 24, 2009‎

By Monique Tamminga - "Langley Times Two broken mounting studs to the main gearbox is what caused the fatal helicopter crash off the coast of Newfounland on March 12, killing a Langley man and 16 others, the Transportation Safety Board said on Monday. ..."

 

Avionews - ‎Mar 23, 2009‎

(WAPA) - It might have been caused by the breakdown of a main gearbox filter bowl assembly mounting stud the accident occurred to a Cougar Helicopters Sikorsky S-92 on last 12th of March off the coast of Newfoundland, in Canada, that caused the death ...

 

Toronto Star - ‎Mar 21, 2009‎

US may ground chopper after Canadian experts find part feared at fault in crash off St. John's

 

CTV.ca - ‎Mar 20, 2009‎

Aviation investigators said Friday that a gearbox known to be deficient led to a deadly helicopter crash off the coast of Newfoundland last week. The discovery of a busted mounting stud on the gearbox has also led officials in Canada to ground Sikorsky ...

[Guest SidewallPuncture]

Why we should be very careful before believing what the media puts out !

Some newspaper quotes:

 

BCLocalNews - ‎Mar 24, 2009‎

By Monique Tamminga - "Langley Times Two broken mounting studs to the main gearbox is what caused the fatal helicopter crash off the coast of Newfounland on March 12, killing a Langley man and 16 others, the Transportation Safety Board said on Monday. ..."

 

Avionews - ‎Mar 23, 2009‎

(WAPA) - It might have been caused by the breakdown of a main gearbox filter bowl assembly mounting stud the accident occurred to a Cougar Helicopters Sikorsky S-92 on last 12th of March off the coast of Newfoundland, in Canada, that caused the death ...

 

Toronto Star - ‎Mar 21, 2009‎

US may ground chopper after Canadian experts find part feared at fault in crash off St. John's

 

CTV.ca - ‎Mar 20, 2009‎

Aviation investigators said Friday that a gearbox known to be deficient led to a deadly helicopter crash off the coast of Newfoundland last week. The discovery of a busted mounting stud on the gearbox has also led officials in Canada to ground Sikorsky ...

 

its a fact a broken stud was found, and it's also a fact that this broken stud is detrimental to the operation of the Main gearbox as per the Sikorsky SB regarding it....all i see are stated facts in all of those quotes you have attached.

 

[Kyle]

There is nothing wrong with discussing the facts however it was suggested by many members that this thread should remain a condolence thread and I think this should be respected. Those of you who wish to point out facts could start another thread.

[Mike Reyno]

 

This just came out...

 

Cougar 491 crashed belly-first: TSB

 

Last Updated: Thursday, March 26, 2009 | 2:41 PM NT Comments9Recommend37CBC News

Transportation Safety Board investigators said Thursday that Cougar Helicopters Flight 491 — which crashed off Newfoundland in mid-March, killing 17 people — hit the water belly-first rather than nose-first as originally suggested.

 

Investigator Allan Chaulk told a news conference in St. John's on Thursday that data suggests the impact of the helicopter was "in the plus 20 G-loading range."

 

While the investigators said there was still a lot of analysis to be done, they could safely say that a filter bowl assembly stud broke in flight, and the helicopter lost oil pressure as a result.

 

Investigator Mike Cunningham said that as of Thursday he understood that 70 per cent of the worldwide fleet of Sikorsky S-92 helicopters have had the studs replaced and are back in service.

 

[splitpin]

This just came out...

 

Cougar 491 crashed belly-first: TSB

 

Last Updated: Thursday, March 26, 2009 | 2:41 PM NT Comments9Recommend37CBC News

Transportation Safety Board investigators said Thursday that Cougar Helicopters Flight 491 — which crashed off Newfoundland in mid-March, killing 17 people — hit the water belly-first rather than nose-first as originally suggested.

 

Investigator Allan Chaulk told a news conference in St. John's on Thursday that data suggests the impact of the helicopter was "in the plus 20 G-loading range."

 

While the investigators said there was still a lot of analysis to be done, they could safely say that a filter bowl assembly stud broke in flight, and the helicopter lost oil pressure as a result.

 

Investigator Mike Cunningham said that as of Thursday he understood that 70 per cent of the worldwide fleet of Sikorsky S-92 helicopters have had the studs replaced and are back in service.

 

Oh My God!! Those poor people! What a terrible way to go. It's bad enough when it's quick, but that way, knowing......

 

[chopper_guy]

its a fact a broken stud was found, and it's also a fact that this broken stud is detrimental to the operation of the Main gearbox as per the Sikorsky SB regarding it....all i see are stated facts in all of those quotes you have attached.

They actually got it a lot more correct than most other stories I've read where I knew about the incident. They are basically repeating the gist of the official statements of the TSB. Everyone, including the TSB seem to be saying that the broken filter bowl caused the accident when the actual cause appears to be a G/B that won't run 10 minutes when dry. Pprune has some very informative information about the G/B. Also, we all know that incidents eventually lead to accidents. There was a warning in July 2008 with an S92 incident in similar circumstances. 70% of S92's have had the steel stud installed and are now flying. Problem solved?

[splitpin]

70% of S92's have had the steel stud installed and are now flying. Problem solved?

 

Time will tell. To me it is unbelievable that a company such as Sikorsky could build a transmission with such a weakness that upon failure results in such disastrous consequences. After all, we have only been building helicopters for 60 odd years. Pretty pathetic engineering!!

I wonder what other gremlins are lurking in the S-92.

 

[Hello-bird]

Time will tell. To me it is unbelievable that a company such as Sikorsky could build a transmission with such a weakness that upon failure results in such disastrous consequences. After all, we have only been building helicopters for 60 odd years. Pretty pathetic engineering!!

I wonder what other gremlins are lurking in the S-92.

 

Just wondering if someone might be willing to start a separate condolences thread. And prayers for my friend Robbie.

 

HB

[Mark_]

Some good news at least...from CBC.

 

Offshore helicopter crash survivor released from hospital

Last Updated: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 | 5:36 PM NT Comments11Recommend34CBC News

The sole survivor of an offshore helicopter crash that claimed the lives of 17 people returned to his St. John's home on Tuesday.

 

Robert Decker, 27, was released from the Health Sciences Centre — Newfoundland and Labrador's largest hospital — on Tuesday afternoon after spending more than two weeks in hospital and undergoing surgery to stabilize a fractured vertebra in his spine.

 

In a statement from Decker given to CBC, he said he will now begin the process of piecing together the details of what happened when the Sikorsky S-92 crashed into the water belly first on March 12. He is preparing to speak to authorities.

 

"Robert offers his personal condolences to the families and friends of the other members of Cougar Flight 491," family friend David Philpott said reading the statement.

 

"He wishes to assure them that if he is able to offer any clarification of this event which may comfort them, it will be forthcoming as soon as he is able."

 

Philpott said he expects it will be an ordeal for Decker to recall the crash.

 

He added that Decker's family is deeply relieved to have him home.

 

TSB investigators said at news conference March 26 they could safely say that a gearbox filter bowl assembly stud broke in flight, and the Sikorsky S-92 lost oil pressure as a result.