The flight happened in Sweden, during cruise. The vibrations were so severe the structure was deformed on some point in the fuselage. The pilot was trained by my collegue and he has some photos made after landing. I'll try to post them here.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...l/IMG_0346.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...l/IMG_0348.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...l/IMG_0368.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...l/IMG_0364.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...l/DSC00118.jpg

Phoinix

Thanks for the info and in particular for the Photo's

No S**T this is something to watch out for / guard against.

I am so glad they got the machine down without loss of life.

John

So much for the "fail-safe" concept proudly advertised by Eurocopter for their rotor system components :uhoh:

Fail safe. One failed the other didn't. Have a look at what kept the blade there. Amazing.

At a guess this looks like a problem between the bush on the damper attachment and the spheriflex hub. Corrosion?

Worrying to say the least..I will be checking more closely next time I fly FEDA also.

Useful to know what would cause that sort of crack..manufacturing problem maybe?

The official report can't come quickly enough. Only then will we have "chapter & verse" on why / how. Hopefully this has something to do with the history of one machine (or one / a batch of rotor heads).

As S1lverback says, very careful checking from now on, every flight. And first sign of vibration that doesn't go away with a speed reduction means a precautionary landing to check.

John

According to the manufacturer, this design concept was supposed to allow the pilots/technicians to detect minor problems (i.e. cracks, gaps, excessive play, delamination, etc) on the different components before they failed completely or became a safety of flight issue. This failure obviuosly went beyond the airworthy state.

It'll also be interesting to confirm whether the deformation of the fuselage structure was indeed caused by vibration, or whether it was caused by a hard landing resulting from the pilot wanting to get the aircraft on the ground as soon as possible after the hub attachment let go.

I/C

As far as I know, he wanted to land in the shortest time possible, but there wasn't a hard landing.

Fuel leak in EC120B
 

I am having fuel leak in engine compartement on completelly new EC120B. The bottom of engine is dry, but FCU is a little bit "wet".

Has anyone experienced the same problem?

IL

EC120B leak
 

No. In my experience, the EC120 should/must be leak free both in the engine and MGB decks. Ask maintenance to check it ASAP.

Thank you for your advice. And since there is a LOT of fuel under engine I will not fly it again unless maintanance will repair it.

EC120B leak
 

Thank for advice. We have found source of leak. It was upper part of FCU. And it leaked a lot!!! A guess 2 - 3 liters per hour. The FCU must be replaced.

And it is completelly new helicopter (just 45 hours on it)

Start Card.
 

Hi guys,

I've had a quick look through (and did a search) for a link to a start card for the EC120B.

I was wondering if anyone has a copy of one or could point me in the right direction.

Thanks.

NiB.

Cracked Rotor Hub
 

The cracked rotor hub on the EC120 is very disturbing. Not sure what unsual attitude would cause this. Perhaps the pilot exceeded positive G force.
Nevertheless very disturbing for a fully articulated rotor system.

I was looking at employing an EC120 in Texas doing about 10 to 20 lifts each day with about half that many starts.

Between the hot starts and the cracked rotor hub just recently discovered in Sweden not sure a start up with an EC120 is feasible.

Getting the jitters to say the least.

Any one out there who can want keep my confidence level up in this aircraft?

Thanks
NotSo

Just a big heads up on Hydraulic repairs like a servo, you'll wait a minimum of 8 months for the part to be looked at, We just spoke to Eurocopter as they charge rental on the loaner, but the ship doesn;t fly a lot, so over 1000 in rental fee so far, and still a few months before we get the other back. they don;t have any spare units either I think, so good luck if yours breaks ..

Also remember the parts repaired in European shops need their certification from your regulator also, ie FAA or Transport Canada

NotSo6

I have been running one for 2 years and have nothing but praise for the machine.

Starting is not a problem if you stick to the Eurocopter method. If hot, crank to well below (I head for 180) and then keep the throttle position short of the gate, feed in very slowly. Typically this gives a very smooth hot start. Starting problems come with ham-fisted throttle hand or trying to rush the process.

As for the rotor head, not heard of another one going. Still no report as to why it gave way, but my money is on a casting fault.

Otherwise, a 50hr service coming in at well under £1k gives you an idea of maintenance ease.

well after almost a year wait, we got our hydraulic servo back, 2 day fix at the repair shop but Eurocopter had it on their shelf since last November it appears, but forgot we exist it seems, CSR yet to return calls..

Tail strike
 

After the event, with no explanation of how it came to happen, but worth a look