PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Latest from NZ on R44 blades
View Single Post
Old 19th Jun 2015, 10:45
  #12 (permalink)  
blakmax
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I am astounded

From my understanding the first blade that was sent to the US is yet to be looked at
If this is true then it is an amazing situation. We have a blade that failed in flight and fortunately the aircraft was able to land, and the manufacturer issues a change for the blade to be reworked. Is this the blade that hasn't been looked at? If so, what is the basis for the modification for the blade? Just a knee jerk "it must be a stress concentration problem" by the manufacturer without any engineering forensics on the failure? Really?

Add to that, we have had a fatal crash with the same blade type. I would have thought that would add impetus to the investigation of the first blade.

Even then, I bet that the analysis will concentrate on the fatigue crack itself without investigation other possible initiating factors. I would like to see a thorough forensic assessment on any contribution of adhesive bond issues, even if it is to exclude such causes.

Regards

blakmax
blakmax is offline