Tailboom Issues
Yesterday, during the post flight, the flight crew found a large delaminated area on the right hand side of the tailboom. The area that was delaminated was in the same location that has been previously identified by Agusta Westland as a critical area. This aircraft has the original tailboom installed and we have been operating it for 22 months and it has over 1500 hours total time. This aircraft is inspected in accordance with the latest bulletins pertaining to the tailboom. This was the third flight of the day and the flight crew noted no problems during the flight.
Several points to make: We do not ground taxi our helicopters. We do not operate this aircraft above 6400 KG. We do not fly the aircraft above 140 KIAS. The aircraft do sit outside and we are in Saudi Arabia on the coast. The humidity level is extreme this time of the year.
We are currently operating 3 (now 2) AW139's with the old tailboom. We are operating 11 AW139's with the latest reinforced tailboom modification and we have had no problems noted with these.
We have notified Agusta Westland that we will not operate the remaining two AW139's (with the old tailboom) until we have replaced the tailboom.
Remember, in the aviation world; fly at your own risk.