This may be a little off topic but since the 2012 UK ditchings were mentioned and we have a couple of good gearbox cutaway drawings at hand, it may be of interest to note the bearing arrangement on the bevel gear shaft. One at the bottom and two (one thrust; one radial roller?) above the bevel gear. What would have been the load distribution after the shaft broke half-way up?
I think it may have been fortuitous that the EMLUB warning system gave a false warning...
Does this perhaps explain AH's immediate interest in the bevel gear shaft in the Bergen crash?
Apologies for going off topic and if this was covered in a 2012 thread, but it is a quiet day. So far.