Hems

[HeliTigg]

Is that the HEMS Explorer in pieces at Denham, if so anyone have any idea what happened?? Heard something about a rotor blade crack.

[Marco]

All the 902 fleet in the UK is grounded pending investigation into cracks into MRH bolts.

[Notar fan]

Marco, who grounded them, was it the CAA? Did they issue anything in writing on this?

[Another KOS]

FYI

UK MD 902s grounded
Defence Helicopter - 19 Jun
19 June 2003

Following the discovery of a cracked blade pin on the London HEMS MD 902 on Saturday morning, UK MD 902 operators have grounded their aircraft as a precautionary measure until tests by the CAA and manufacturer MD on the pins have been completed.

Extra vibration was reported by the HEMS crew on Saturday morning. An inspection team from Gloucester-based Specialist Aviation Services who maintain the aircraft discovered a cracked pin. Once the cracked pin had been identified managing director Jeremy Awenat informed the CAA, MD and other UK operators Eastern Atlantic Helicopters and Signature Aircraft Charter of their discovery. It is understood that all MD 902s have been voluntarily grounded as a precautionary measure. Awenat says that all blade pins on their MD 902s have been removed for inspection.

"We are near to issuing an airworthiness directive (today or tomorrow) that will require the inspection of all pins on MD 902s," said the CAAs Chris Marson.

Andrew Drwiega

[zalt]

That must be the second AD since last summer after problems were found first in the UK on the rotor head.

[PANews]

This time the rotor head problem [and there have been a few] is securing pins.

I under stand that the fleet is now returning to service, but it seems that they have been 'missing' for at least 5 days, some more.

When McD originally launched the 900 they believed that the rotorhead was going to be a long life 'on-condition' part. In recent times most un-lifed items have now been given a stated life.

Not unusual in the industry.

[Notar fan]

Zalt,
We are talking about two different issues here.
The most recent issue is to do with the blade retention pin breaking. A problem limited to two aircraft in the UK. Two incidences were found. It seems the cause is probably due to maintenance personel not following the pubhlised maintenance procedure. The aircraft grounding was a voluntary action taken by UK operators and followed by an AD from the CAA.
MD's service bulletin was issued on Friday.

The AD you speak of is probably on the bolt hole cracking on the upper hub assy.

[zalt]

Nf

Yes I know they are different issues - that was my point. You seem quick to suggest maintenance error. Inside gen? Strangely MDHI own the maintenance orgainsation in question!

PANews

Sadly you are right, seemsd all to common that the first sales of a new type are on the basis of 'on condition' maintenance and soon the ADs come in to reverse it.

[Notar fan]

Zalt,
Are you and PANews related? Yes I do have the inside "gen", and by the way, MDHI DOES NOT OWN THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY IN QUESTION.


Sadly you are right, seemsd all to common that the first sales of a new type are on the basis of 'on condition' maintenance and soon the ADs come in to reverse it.

I am confused with this comment. To the best of my knowledge both the blade pins and hub assemblies on this aircraft have always had time lives. This design of blade pin is not unique to the MD900 series aircraft and is time-limited on the 369 series as well as the Apache.

[zalt]

Nf

Forgive my ignorance but isn't SAS (from the press story)=PAS which is owned by the Dutch company who own MDHI?

So how was the pin abused in maintenance?

[Notar fan]

Zalt

Forgive my ignorance but isn't SAS (from the press story)=PAS which is owned by the Dutch company who own MDHI?

That would make them sister companies, would it not? I said MDHI do not own this maintenance organisation.

Sorry, but I won't expand any more on the pin issue. I don't want to see myself quoted (from this board) out of context again in PAN.

[zalt]

Nf
Point 1 - Phew - I wasn't a million miles out then.
Point 2 - Fair enough but it sounds like you've already given a good sound bite!

[PANews]

Notar Fan

I havn't a clue who Zalt is anymore than I KNOW who you are. I have better things to do, no matter what my suspicions. Everything I write is accountable - even when wrong. No secret names.

However it is clear that you appear to be well versed in the goings on in Mesa and extremely defensive of them, a real blinker job. That bit about denying the MDHI and PAS connection is perhaps typical. I think we all knew what he meant.

All this tends to suggest we have met on more than one occasion in the UK and US.

As for the 'transfer of text' to PAN, it would never have happened if the text had not been written in the first place. The message, if any, is that conducting ourselves with a measure of professionalism is always the better way. Accountability does tend to still my real feelings!!

[Added]

Very early I know, but [as I said] on UK launch at Blackbushe nine years ago the McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company stated ‘Blades – On condition composites’ ‘Hub on-condition, bearingless composites.’

No specific mention of pins at that stage, it was a bit early and McD were not really into detail at the best of times. They just shouted down anyone that asked ‘silly’ technical questions - a lot!

The UK fleet was ordered at Farnborough in 1996 and it was 1999 that the FAA required some previously unlifed items to have a life added to them.

Of course all this was prior to MDHI taking over the project anyway so I see little reason for them to be ‘personally’ defensive of history. It is a bit like the MD600 and SAS everyone fully accepted the new owners position and they put the problem right in the same way as they improved the build quality of the 500 series. OK so they are short on resources, but that is a direct reflection of the sheer number of largely inherited problems they face.

[Capn Notarious]

So where does one look on the web for pictures of these events.
Only those with intimate knowledge down on the head, can percieve and visualise the information.

Private messages will be appreciated.

[AlanM]

It's been quiet without her.....

any news on her return to service?

[Practice Auto 3,2,1]

Alan M,

G-EHMS left Denham at its usual start time this morning so I guess its back in service now!

:ok:

[HeliTigg]

Were they using a twin squirrel in the meantime??

Tigg

[AlanM]

PA321, thanks! (am on days off!)

Heli Tigg - there wasn't anything in it's place.

However, Helimed 24 from White Waltham had been busy over that period.

I think that HEMS (Helimed 27) had leased a Twin Squirrell previously. Not sure why not this time though - the last time was the planned maint.

[Cyclic Hotline]

FAA AD on MRH pins (http://ftp.atp.com/ADs/pdf/031351e.pdf)

ND Helicopters SB (http://www.mdhelicopters.com/Pubs/900Storage/Service%20Bulletins/sb900092.pdf)

[PANews]

An inspection regime might be expected, the 6 hour check is bad enough, but on first sight that FAA requirement to check each bolt 'before each engine start' seems onerous for such as a police reactive mission.

The bolts are of course at quite a height.

Is it as awkward as it seems, or did I miss something?

[john du'pruyting]

You cover that one by checking them after you land.....:ok: