Turøy,4 years ago,,
 

I was just reading the local paper and it reminded me it has now been 4 years.
I was looking for the old original tread , but I could not find it, so I impose on this one.
I am on the Boeing 737-800 and the older types had the rudder hardover and the latest and greatest they had to call the Max!! Just to hint how fare they stretched the old beast.
I did learn a thing or two about gears and such as the Turøy accident unfolded. And even more about "Aviation Politics" if I could use that phrase.
Anyway.
I got plenty of time on my hands now until this Corona madness blows over,,,! So I shall make a point of visiting the crash site , as there is a Memorial there in the form of a wopping great bolder with a tiny house on top off it . The bolder is a classic round granite stone found on top off one of the islands nearby, formed by the ice and dropped by the ice as it retreated!
Somewhat bizarre,I think, but very powerful statement indeed.( In Norway we tend to find long pointy stones and upend them , pointing skywards, called a bauta.)
The Monument has all the names on it and the tiny house on top, has 13 windows of gold.
I wish You all safe sailing and now I shall have a good zigar and think of the Pax and Crew of Turøy!
RIP

Kind Regards
Cpt B

Back in 2012/13 after the 225 ditching incidents, I dug into the numbers for large rotorcraft accidents. Based on what I found, it looks very like helicopters are dangerous. Who knew eh?

Since then, what are clearly the two safest large rotorcraft ever built, the S-92 and the 225, have done a lot of work and been involved in further incidents, one just yesterday. What is as clear as it's ever been is that if you do all the work then you'll have all of the accidents. Anyone fearing flying in a 225 or S-92 needs to take a much closer look at the alternatives in order to bring a proper sense of realism about helicopters. Some will put their faith instead in the new super-mediums and I am sure we all hope that faith is justified.

Statistically safe.
But potentially a fatal flaw. One that is proven, and can not be detected or mitigated by the Pilot.
Flying along, enjoying the AFCS, trying not to thing about the MR system departing.

Thinking about “strapping an EC225 on” - Watch the video of the MR falling by it’s self. Look carefully at the collective movements on the FDR. Until things are clearer.

Don't forget SAS's favourite, the mighty Chinook, reliable as any machine, but had one fatal accident in the North Sea due to failure in the forward transmission.

https://assets.publishing.service.go...988_G-BWFC.pdf

I can't help but wonder at human nature, what if that video had never been recorded? Would the 225 have been as lambasted as it was and put aside? The video sent chills down my spine and still does but I would like to know what Airbus have done to the gearbox other than remove the "bad" bearing design.

Stay safe and healthy everyone.

Si

Ahh the YouTube generation. If it’s not recorded it counts for nothing. Sadly, I have read all 4 accident reports and I have a vivid imagination. I’m guessing a lot of others can still use their imagination to think what the last few seconds would be like.

Granted the 225 and/or the 332 is not great in the MGB department.

It is only a scaled-up version of an Alouette gearbox as the concepts are pretty much the same.

Of course, the alternatives in this size of aircraft aren't actually much better as has been proven.

Better, faster, cheaper - pick two?

Sure - the video of the MR system in flight was chilling, and I’m sure Airbus wish it didn’t exist.
Only a very small part of the big picture.
With no disrespect, or making light of obvious terrible tragedy. The fact that everyone on board, perished with no warning or chance, and that could happen on the next flight, is the issue, for many.

I only flew the 225 for a couple of years and it is a great aircraft but I would NEVER fly it again. Much of my reasoning for that is Airbus Helicopters attempts to lay blame at the feet of others in the immediate aftermath, further, then failing to come up with a reason for the failure and then a satisfactory solution.