Originally Posted by
TenTon
Anyone who thinks HUMS data could be interpreted in real time has never seen the Data before. Please stop thinking HUMs is a magic tool to determine maintenance requirements. HUMs has always been and still is a maintenance TOOL. Not a determining factor nor reliable enough to make a decision such as ditching a Helicopter as some seem to think or those in suits want everyone to believe. Some HUMS indications are so vague it can take a LONG time to determine if the HUMs system or aircraft is faulty. Much longer than your typical out and back trip offshore helicopters take making real time impossible. Whatever failed on this Helicopter happened incredibly fast. Faster than even the Pilots onboard to realize something was wrong. HUMs=USELESS in that situation. If the data is still intact on the card then it may help investigators determine what failed easier.
I just hope I'm not sitting
In 6 months time reading an accident report stating that HUMS data indicated a trend 3 days before the accident.