To all engineers and R44 owners – ever seen anything like this?
The damage happened on a one hour flight from my home base and back – no field landings, rough surfaces or gravel.
The damage is just behind the port skid support and was clearly made by an object from inside, travelling outwards. The hole is in line with the alternator pulley (all cooling vanes intact) and the exhaust (all intact). The only thing with sufficient energy and centrifugal force to throw something hard at the panel from the inside is the main fan but the shroud is all fine. The main drive belts could possibly have thrown something like a washer if it fell into them from above, but it’s hard to imagine enough force to puncture the panel.
I’ve checked the whole engine bay on two occasions for half an hour each, panels off and from underneath and there is nothing missing or loose. I’ve flown her for four hours since the damage and all is fine.
I and my engineers are completely baffled!
There is a possible trajectory for an object that passes from a couple of inches below the identical starboard panel, rising up into the engine bay to the exit hole. Don’t want to be dramatic, but can any of you ex-mil types tell me if a bullet can make anything other than a round hole, especially in a curved panel?
If you have any experience of damage similar to this or have a sensible theory I’d be grateful to hear it. Regardless of the fact that machine is fine and safe, I hate not knowing what caused it.
P.S. If anyone is going to bother with Robbie knocking wisecracks, they better be HILARIOUS - this is serious!