Originally Posted by
aheoe26104
16 Dec 1980 - SA330J - 9M-SSC - Main rotor separated after A second stage epicyclic module planetary gear fatigue failure- on contract to Sarawak Shell.
01 April 2009 - AS332L2 - G-REDL - Same as above.
29 April 2016 - EC225 - LN-OJF - Main rotor separated ...
Does it matter what the reason is? Seems to be not confined to the 225 / L1 / 330.
If this case was due to a different reason, how much confidence does that instill, how many reasons can there be for the main rotor to separate from the Puma with it's grandfather rights gearbox?
So even if we accept your premise that they're all effectively the same type, 3 gearbox-related fatal accidents in 36 years - which is an awful lot of flying hours. Does any other type have a better safety record? Helicopters are dangerous - GET OVER IT. But not as dangerous as the roads, especially in China. And not as dangerous as smoking/drinking/eating too much. And don't forget that most people die in bed, so going to bed is REALLY DANGEROUS. In fact life is a terminal disease, best not to start on that journey at all as it has only one consequence.