EC225 crash near Bergen, Norway April 2016

[Skotty]

The gearbox sits on the barbeque plate to which it is bolted. It is slotted to absorb the horizontal forces from the head/gearbox and it is attached to the upper fuselage structure.

It was visible in one of the photos posted still attached to the gearbox, but I'm not sure where that photo is.

[HeliComparator]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf_50

Please forgive my not being familiar with 225 slang/jargon, but what's the barbecue plate?


Transmission picture

Install Bevel Gear Video

Rotor/transmission/struts figure


In these various pictures and the video of putting the bevel gear into the transmission, where do I find the barbecue plate? (Please don't tell me "in the lunch room, of course!" )

It's not in the pictures (didn't look at the video) but anyway it is a slotted plate that attaches the bottom of the gearbox to the transmission deck. Called the BBQ plate because of its slots. The slots are designed to give the plat some flexibility to allow the bottom of the gearbox to sway a little whilst constraining it in rotation (ie taking the torque).

[roundwego]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf_50

Please forgive my not being familiar with 225 slang/jargon, but what's the barbecue plate?


Transmission picture

Install Bevel Gear Video

Rotor/transmission/struts figure


In these various pictures and the video of putting the bevel gear into the transmission, where do I find the barbecue plate? (Please don't tell me "in the lunch room, of course!" )

The barbecue plate is the slang term for the gearbox "flexible mounting plate". It is the interface between the base of the gearbox and the airframe and it is designed to resist the rotational forces acting on the gearbox. It is made from titanium but, as its formal name suggests, it is flexible. It has been in use on the AS332 series and H225 for many years.

[albatross]

Years ago probably late 70s early 80s there was a tragic accident with a Puma in Canada caused by BBQ plate failure.
As I recall - BBQ plate failed while the AC was in the hover picking up a longline load.
Transmission torqued to the right which caused the #1 engine drive shaft to be torn loose.
#1 engine over sped and shut down ( this disabled overspeed protection on # 2 engine )
Transmission then torqued left which took out the #2 engine driveshaft. # 2 engine over sped and, due to disabled protection, exploded causing a large fire and crash.
BBQ plate was redesigned and cycle counts for multiple longline sling ops were imposed.
Just mentioned as I am sure the subject may come up.
I am not speculating that BBQ plate failure is a causal factor in this accident.

[Fareastdriver]

It has been in use on the AS332 series and H225 for many years.

and the 330 Puma from 1966; that's fifty years.

[Americanadian]

Suspension bar front lower pin

We suspect the front lower suspension bar pin's diaper pins were never installed.

[Pablo332]

Originally Posted by roundwego

The barbecue plate is the slang term for the gearbox "flexible mounting plate". It is the interface between the base of the gearbox and the airframe and it is designed to resist the rotational forces acting on the gearbox. It is made from titanium but, as its formal name suggests, it is flexible. It has been in use on the AS332 series and H225 for many years.

I think its made of Marvel on the 225.

[jimf671]

So who is deleting posts again?

On some fora you get half an hour to reflect on your sins and then it's there forever!

[dipperm0]

Just to clarify

[Lonewolf_50]

Many thanks to all for the explanation.

[Heliport]

So who is deleting posts again?

The people who posted them.

[Never Fretter]

Mitchaa has gone from 28 to 17 posts in total today by deleting all but 3 here (ones where he was proven wrong?) and others on the CHC thread.

[Rigga]

Skotty,
You're a brilliant ray of shining light amongst these 500+ posts of poop!

[ericferret]

Probably a good idea, if all the dross was deleted the thread would be a damn sight shorter.

I will delete this tomorrow!!!!!

I'm with Skotty. Having seen the end result of a 3 legged lifting sling breaking a single leg I can testify that it doesn't end well. Simple mechanics.

[donut king]

http://bt.mnocdn.no/incoming/article3590196.ece/ALTERNATES/w2048c169/IMG_6661.JPG?updated=030520161246

Flex plate still attached.....is it not? See left side of MGB bottom!

[henra]

Originally Posted by Mitchaa

When the main rotor head was installed on the 27th March, were there 3 pins installed in the suspension rods?
Do you believe that incorrect pins were installed? If so, why?

Honestly, I've got no idea. It is simply one theoretical cause amongst multiple. How it could have happened? No securing pins installed on the bolts? corrosion? Wrong bolt? Other ways I didn't come to think of?
If it was a problem with the suspension bar and how it could have come lose we will only know once the experts who have access to the data and wreckage have come to a conclusion. Until then its just possibilities and -yes- speculation.

[SASless]

CHC has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection.....what is the next step in this Drama?

[TylerMonkey]

Originally Posted by Americanadian

We suspect the front lower suspension bar pin's diaper pins were never installed.

Wow . . . . serious first post.

[Lonewolf_50]

@Tyler
Depending upon who "we" is in that sentence.

[Americanadian]

CHC bankruptcy was inevitable.