2003 Robinson Fatal Accident Report

[Time Out]

On 20 June 2003 at approximately 0840, a Robinson Helicopter Company Model R22 helicopter, registered VH-OHA (OHA), was being used to conduct flying training in the Bankstown training area with an experienced flight instructor and student pilot. The helicopter was observed and heard flying in a normal manner. Witnesses reported subsequently hearing a number of loud bangs and one witness observed what appeared to be a main rotor blade separating from the helicopter. The helicopter descended to the ground in an inverted attitude and both occupants were fatally injured. Main Report (http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2003/AAIR/pdf/aair200302820_001.pdf)

Main Rotor Blade Fracture Report (http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2003/AAIR/pdf/aair200302820_002.pdf)

[RotorSwede]

These "new" blades they are referring to in the report, from what date where they fitted on new R22 machines ? From what I understood in the report all of the MR in-flight seperation accidents that have happened are with the "old" blades ?

I apologize if the answer to this Q is in the report, but it's very much to read, maybe someone with english as their first language have read it all carefully.

Best regards

RotorSwede

[TinKicker]

Hi,

my reading of the report (and looking at the poor resolution pictures) is that the blades were of the 'old' A016-2 design. The 'new' A016-4 blades are the new ones that have been introduced into service as a result of the accidents.

It appears that there is a very loose correlation between the failure in this accident and the Israeli failure, in that the blades were each about 11.8 years old. Given that the new blades have not been in service for that long, it is going to be interesting to watch and see if anything similar occurs when the first of the new blades gets towards that calendar age.

What is also interesting from the report is that in the sample of 50+ blades that were collected as a result of the ATSB recommendation is that adhesive failure was present on all of them.

Tinkicker

[TiPwEiGhT]

Does this mean that Robinson should be taking a closer look at their blade design or life span of them?

TiP:confused:

[Practice Auto 3,2,1]

Does this mean that Robinson should be taking a closer look at their blade design or life span of them?

They have:

http://www.robinsonheli.com/servelib.htm

Click on SB94 (needs Adobe Acrobat)

[TiPwEiGhT]

Appologies, didnt think before I wrote my last post. When were the rough dates of the blade separation accidents? Are the new blades much different in their build/design, apart from the obviouse?

TiP:ouch: