Human Factors Training for Engineers (Mechanics)
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Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
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From: Downeast
Human Factors Training for Engineers (Mechanics)
Sundance Helicopters, a Tour Operator in the Las Vegas NV area, lost an aircraft and all aboard when a bolt fell from the Fore/Aft Cyclic Flight Control Linkage with the cause being attributed to the Re-Use of a Self Locking Nut and the absence of a Cotter Pin.
How well is your Helicopter preflighted.....and does your maintenance providers re-use Self Locking Nuts?
Aircraft Accident Report: AAR-13-01
http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2013/AAR1301.pdf
How well is your Helicopter preflighted.....and does your maintenance providers re-use Self Locking Nuts?
Aircraft Accident Report: AAR-13-01
http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2013/AAR1301.pdf
Last edited by SASless; 23rd September 2013 at 21:39.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 1
From: ...in view of the 'Southern Cross' ...
Mmmmm ...
Probably one of the first things an 'new chum' AME gets to learn is 'how to assess the (re) usability of self locking fasteners' ...
In this case the bolt should have been 'failsafe' by the use of a 'self locking nut' AND a 'split cotter pin' .... on top of that (certainly outside of the US) most maintenance organisations and responsible authorities require that a "Duplicate Inspection' be carried out (and certified for) on 'any flight control or any control that may affect the safety of flight' before the aircraft is released to service.
Somewhere here the system broke down ..... badly !!!
Probably one of the first things an 'new chum' AME gets to learn is 'how to assess the (re) usability of self locking fasteners' ...
In this case the bolt should have been 'failsafe' by the use of a 'self locking nut' AND a 'split cotter pin' .... on top of that (certainly outside of the US) most maintenance organisations and responsible authorities require that a "Duplicate Inspection' be carried out (and certified for) on 'any flight control or any control that may affect the safety of flight' before the aircraft is released to service.
Somewhere here the system broke down ..... badly !!!

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 73
From: England
Sadly nothing new in the report.
Not that many years since a UK jetranger crashed where the cause was stated to be the reuse of worn nuts on the tail rotor drive. The subsequent loss of a nut and bolt lead to a loss of the tail drive. No split pins here so you wonder about the integrity of a critical system with only a single locking device. Are 206's still like that? I haven't seen one for years.
Not that many years since a UK jetranger crashed where the cause was stated to be the reuse of worn nuts on the tail rotor drive. The subsequent loss of a nut and bolt lead to a loss of the tail drive. No split pins here so you wonder about the integrity of a critical system with only a single locking device. Are 206's still like that? I haven't seen one for years.





