A difficult question absolutely. The K-Max fleet is on the hardest business in helicopter ops.
But i believe the ship showed some really not to accept technical faults in history. At first the engine fuel pump problem and secondly the problems with the free wheeling units of different series. Both really deadly problems on a single engine helicopter working the whole day long in the dead man's curve. And both problems not to detect on line-maintenance. And both problems costed lives and health of collegues. The problem with the double cell (stage) fuel pump, but only a failure indication on a complete loss and the not detectable failure of one cell with one remaining, costed the life of a friend. He was without chance after the failure of the remained cell followed by a complete engine failure in high angle terrain. This problem seems solved today, but first after a deadly accident. The K-Max fleet ist to small to find out any technical problem first after accidents.
RIP my friend
Last edited by tecpilot; 30th March 2006 at 11:01.