When the S-76 first came out....it had two fatal accidents due to rotorhead failures. I was at the factory when that happened.
The failure was put down to unforeseen stress on a threaded portion of the Blade Retention system.
Sikorsky figured out what the problem was...and made the necessary changes in the design to make the aircraft safe.
It is now a very successful aircraft....with a long service record.
There was a time you could not give a 76 away.....but those days are gone.
It will be the same for the 225....the problem will be cured and the aircraft will probably go on to a long service life as well.
With as much riding on this....EC is surely going to do what ever it takes to cure the problem.
How long it takes is the issue.....not "if".
Last edited by SASless; 15th Jul 2013 at 13:44.