Queensland Court rules against Robinson
Great if that's the case Owen..... so heres the thing,
The RHC ICA for checking the fwd flexplate is rubbish.
A 'visual' inspection of the flexplate is useless.
1. There will never be any 'fretting' dust that you can find.
2. A finger check will not find a crack because the glue squeezes out around the washer at the edge of the flexplate, and as well as its rough texture, it often extends right to the edge of the plate, not to mention the fact that the yoke covers a large percentage of the relevant area.
3. You will not find a crack under the bonded washers unless you remove the flexplate and examine the area around the bonded washers with a light and magnifying glass. Even then you won't find a crack if it's still under the bonded washer, and that alone makes the helicopter unairworthy according to the MM and RHC.
4.Torque seal has nothing to do with ongoing fastener integrity. It was also proved that it is hopelessly ineffective as a method of identifying bolt rotation. In fact the stuff barely lasts the time it takes you to fly it home after a 100hrly. Walk out on your field and have a look at a few. Not just on the flexplate, but the tail rotor assembly also.
However everyone agreed that if you see the palnut intact, and you stick a simple open ended spanner on either end of the fastner and you can't make it turn, chances are it's OK.
I think most LAMES should be able to get that. Pity Robinson couldn't, because its cost many lives, and they have known about the problem for a long time. Even in this case they had the opportunity to listen, learn and repent, but chose not to. Now they will pay the price.
BP