What happens is, the affected engine (broken free-wheel unit) will drag the good engine and the NR down. As mentioned, the first indication is a C-Box light, and then one has to monitor the torque and NR closely. If the torque split occurs then a rotor rpm drop will follow. From then on, the bad things will develop very fast.
One has to put the aircraft down immediately - not as soon as possible. We practiced this, and if one waits too long the aircraft comes out of the sky like a rock because the NR will continue to drop irregardless if the bad engine is shut down or not.
And yes, the C-Box will seize up as well!
Last edited by alouette; 19th December 2012 at 04:08.