North Sea heli ditching: Oct 2012
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Colibri
I think II is right...whatever Bristow may say
From the 2101-113E EASA AD issued May 28th 2013
I for one don't care what Bristow think, they are just an operator with a commercial vested interest, this is the current EASA AD as far as I know.
I think II is right...whatever Bristow may say
From the 2101-113E EASA AD issued May 28th 2013
. The Emergency Lubrication (EMLUB) system of the helicopter was designed to guarantee 30 minutes of continued safe flight in the event of total loss of the dual oil lubrication system of the Main Gearbox (MGB).
Investigations on the EMLUB system have revealed an area of the flight envelope in which the emergency lubrication Glycol pump’s performance is different to that assumed during certification.
Consequently, even though the likelihood of using the EMLUB is extremely low (no total loss of oil lubrication encountered on the Super Puma fleet), as the continued safe flight of 30 minutes is not guaranteed in the whole flight envelope, and pending a Eurocopter modification to the Glycol pump and EMLUB pressure switches, an immediate landing or ditching is required as soon as the EMLUB system is activated.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Eurocopter issued EC225 Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No 04A010 to provide updated Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) emergency procedures.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires amendment of the RFM emergency procedures section.
Investigations on the EMLUB system have revealed an area of the flight envelope in which the emergency lubrication Glycol pump’s performance is different to that assumed during certification.
Consequently, even though the likelihood of using the EMLUB is extremely low (no total loss of oil lubrication encountered on the Super Puma fleet), as the continued safe flight of 30 minutes is not guaranteed in the whole flight envelope, and pending a Eurocopter modification to the Glycol pump and EMLUB pressure switches, an immediate landing or ditching is required as soon as the EMLUB system is activated.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Eurocopter issued EC225 Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No 04A010 to provide updated Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) emergency procedures.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires amendment of the RFM emergency procedures section.
Last edited by terminus mos; 9th Jun 2013 at 12:28.
It wasn't Bristow doing the presentation. It was a Eurocopter engineering expert and if he hasn't done so already, he'll shortly be giving the same talk at CHC and Bond.
"and pending a Eurocopter modification to the Glycol pump" seems to be the relevant bit from your quote above. He didn't allude to the pressure switches, which I take to imply from his statement that now only the pump needs to be stronger.
"and pending a Eurocopter modification to the Glycol pump" seems to be the relevant bit from your quote above. He didn't allude to the pressure switches, which I take to imply from his statement that now only the pump needs to be stronger.
Last edited by Colibri49; 9th Jun 2013 at 17:56.
DB.....I guess the way you describe the 225 AFCS....it would be perfect to take for a Pub Run....it would buy every Round and take the Ugly Bird!
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Low fat. You are correct. It only uses air from the LH engine. If the engine is not running we Have no EMLUBESYSTEM capability BUT this is a multiple failure scenario that the system is not designed to accommodate.
Like I said it is the only aircraft flying that has an EMLUBESYSTEM.
The discovery during extensive testing that they pump may not deliver an optimum flow under certain conditions has led to EC issuing the ESB because there are EC225s currently operating around the globe.
My understanding is that new pumps will be fitted ASAP as part of the mod package to support the route back to service for those not operating.
SAS.......yes I think she probably would. In fact if Carling made a helicopter it would be a 225
DB
Like I said it is the only aircraft flying that has an EMLUBESYSTEM.
The discovery during extensive testing that they pump may not deliver an optimum flow under certain conditions has led to EC issuing the ESB because there are EC225s currently operating around the globe.
My understanding is that new pumps will be fitted ASAP as part of the mod package to support the route back to service for those not operating.
SAS.......yes I think she probably would. In fact if Carling made a helicopter it would be a 225
DB
Low fat. You are correct. It only uses air from the LH engine. If the engine is not running we Have no EMLUBESYSTEM capability BUT this is a multiple failure scenario that the system is not designed to accommodate.
My understanding is that new pumps will be fitted ASAP as part of the mod package to support the route back to service for those not operating.
Last edited by industry insider; 10th Jun 2013 at 11:03.
Purely as a matter of interest. When they were scrabbling around for helicopters after the 225s were grounded, did they look at resurrecting GBMCX from the hangar it was marooned in in Libya.
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did they look at resurrecting GBMCX from the hangar it was marooned in in Libya
CHC Scotia also flying an AS332L G-BKZE today as well.
Last edited by TTFD; 13th Jun 2013 at 17:05.
Airbus Helicopters accept responsibility?
A helicopter firm has accepted responsibility for a ditching, according to lawyers acting for the 12 offshore workers injured in the 2012 incident.
The CHC-operated Super Puma EC225 was forced to land in the North Sea between Shetland and Orkney off Fair Isle.
Lawyers working for Irwin Mitchell have said manufacturer Airbus, formerly Eurocopter, accepts that it is “solely responsible for failures” leading to the crash.
An Irwin Mitchell spokesman said: “Lawyers at the firm have now received written confirmation from Airbus Helicopters stating that it accepts that it is solely responsible for the failures which led to the crew ditching the aircraft causing both physical and psychological injuries to those on board.”
The Super Puma was forced to ditch due to a failure in the gearbox lubrication system and a false warning in the emergency lubrication system.
The helicopter was flying from Aberdeen to the West Phoenix platform, west of Shetland when it ditched. Two crew were also on board the helicopter.
Jonathan Garcia, an ROV Pilot Technician on board when the helicopter ditched, said: "It has been a long wait for answers regarding the incident but, if any good is to come of it, it will be that steps are taken to improve offshore helicopter safety in the long term.
"Barely a day goes by when I do not think of the ditching. It was incredibly traumatic. Thankfully now that Airbus Helicopters has accepted responsibility, we should be able to start moving forward and receive the help and support we need to be able to move on with our lives.
“I hope that the aviation authorities and helicopter operators take the necessary steps to prevent anyone else going through what I have had to experience."
Jim Morris, a former RAF pilot and partner in Irwin Mitchell's Aviation Law team, added: “There have been a number of adverse incidents involving Super Puma helicopters in recent years. We now hope that the issues identified in the recent accident report are fully addressed as soon as possible to prevent any similar incidents in future.”
The CHC-operated Super Puma EC225 was forced to land in the North Sea between Shetland and Orkney off Fair Isle.
Lawyers working for Irwin Mitchell have said manufacturer Airbus, formerly Eurocopter, accepts that it is “solely responsible for failures” leading to the crash.
An Irwin Mitchell spokesman said: “Lawyers at the firm have now received written confirmation from Airbus Helicopters stating that it accepts that it is solely responsible for the failures which led to the crew ditching the aircraft causing both physical and psychological injuries to those on board.”
The Super Puma was forced to ditch due to a failure in the gearbox lubrication system and a false warning in the emergency lubrication system.
The helicopter was flying from Aberdeen to the West Phoenix platform, west of Shetland when it ditched. Two crew were also on board the helicopter.
Jonathan Garcia, an ROV Pilot Technician on board when the helicopter ditched, said: "It has been a long wait for answers regarding the incident but, if any good is to come of it, it will be that steps are taken to improve offshore helicopter safety in the long term.
"Barely a day goes by when I do not think of the ditching. It was incredibly traumatic. Thankfully now that Airbus Helicopters has accepted responsibility, we should be able to start moving forward and receive the help and support we need to be able to move on with our lives.
“I hope that the aviation authorities and helicopter operators take the necessary steps to prevent anyone else going through what I have had to experience."
Jim Morris, a former RAF pilot and partner in Irwin Mitchell's Aviation Law team, added: “There have been a number of adverse incidents involving Super Puma helicopters in recent years. We now hope that the issues identified in the recent accident report are fully addressed as soon as possible to prevent any similar incidents in future.”
