Cracks found in RCAF Cyclone
Thread Starter
Cracks found in RCAF Cyclone
CBC News is reporting that serious cracks have been found in the Cyclone helicopters stationed in Shearwater.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-...acks-1.6273953
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-...acks-1.6273953
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 7th Dec 2021 at 06:25. Reason: Fix link
Thread Starter
Instead of listening to Michael Byers, a professor and defence policy analyst at the University of British Columbia, why not listen to someone who understands the aircraft and why it may be cracking? I love the way they keep drawing parallels with the S-92. My company contracts a fleet of S-92s some of which are 15 years old, we don't have any tail cracking problems. The CH148 has a higher MTOM, folding blades and a folding tail. The S-92 tail is a hostile enough area without adding the complexity of tail folding.
I like the other expert's explanations!
"The engines that Canada had put into that aircraft were 25 per cent more powerful than the engines that were in the design aircraft, so that's even more power and more force," Hansen told CBC Radio's Information Morning Halifax on Monday.
"Evidently, there's a problem with the structural strength of the aircraft to withstand that force."
"Evidently, there's a problem with the structural strength of the aircraft to withstand that force."
I can somehow understand irritation in this case.
They had problems with cracks on the Cormorant too, both the windscreens and the TR hub ISTR.
Additional S-92 Modifications required to meet Canadian Requirements
There are a few modifications to the S-92 that had to be incorporated in the CH-148 to accommodate Canadian requirements. Blade and pylon fold are just a few. In addition, the CH-148 required an increase in main rotor diameter. Unless the actual airframe was increased in length, this would have reduced the clearance between the main and tail rotor arcs. This could be a contributing factor to tail vibration signatures with resulting cracking.
CBC News is reporting that serious cracks have been found in the Cyclone helicopters stationed in Shearwater.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-...acks-1.6273953
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-...acks-1.6273953
Thread Starter
Example Navy Gazelle found with a broken rear undercarriage crosstube. Alll aircraft inspected and any with signs of internal corrosion are grounded. Result 80% plus non operational until repaired or a war breaks out.
However having the cracks defined as serious is another matter. I see no mention of the military defining the cracks as serious. They did not say if the cracks are affecting the structural integrity of the airframe.
I am surprised and concerned that these cracks were not discovered long before they developed in so many airframes.
Thread Starter
MSN now reporting that the Cyclone has software issues which showed up from the crash last year. 'Scope' and cost of software fix to naval helicopters expected in spring 2022 (msn.com)
The early years of ANY aircraft is riddled with teething issues - some serious, some not so serious and sadly, some continually. But the one thing any OEM can’t do is tell the future for all operators - who all operate with different envelopes, equipment, enviroment, methods, weather and particular situations. One size does not fit all.
The maintenance systems you use have worked and they have raised the issue of cracks in the same areas - pooh happens! A repair will soon be formulated and some of your aircraft will be back on your Lines soon enough. Wait till your told you can fly again and stop wingeing….sit in the Sims for a while and dream of being a winged god another time.
The maintenance systems you use have worked and they have raised the issue of cracks in the same areas - pooh happens! A repair will soon be formulated and some of your aircraft will be back on your Lines soon enough. Wait till your told you can fly again and stop wingeing….sit in the Sims for a while and dream of being a winged god another time.
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Sikorsky has issued a service letter to the S92 civil fleet, that these cracks found on the Cyclones have not or are not common on the Civil fleet. The cracks are reported as minor at STA 599 of the aft transition area and does not affect the primary structure of the Aft transition area. They go on to say due to Unique aspects of the CH-148 airframe alter load path reason for this cracking.
Repairs are covered by the SRM ( Structural Repair Manual). If you see the photos will see the cracks are very small maybe one inch or two and require a small doubler angle to be installed. No changes to the existing inspection schedule are expected , follow the existing 1500 hour inspections schedule.
Please don't ask I cannot post the photos.
Repairs are covered by the SRM ( Structural Repair Manual). If you see the photos will see the cracks are very small maybe one inch or two and require a small doubler angle to be installed. No changes to the existing inspection schedule are expected , follow the existing 1500 hour inspections schedule.
Please don't ask I cannot post the photos.
Cracks in airframes are something engineers have to deal with continuously. Remember a tarmac hand pointing out a large crack in the fin of a 212 to the crew as they were loading on a turn around. Rebuilding 205 and 212 tail booms kept engineers in gainful employment.
