Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Rotorcraft Report: S-92 Subject of Safety Alerts
U.S. and European aviation safety agencies have issued airworthiness directives (ADs) requiring inspection of the section of the Sikorsky S-92 that connects the main gearbox to the helicopter’s airframe. The FAA and EASA directives—issued in late October—reinforce an issue that Sikorsky identified in September. Operators in the UK’s North Sea reported discovering cracks in the mounting foot pads and foot ribs of the main gearbox. The FAA directive, 2009-23-51, requires inspection of the pads after 10 hours of service, or every day. If a crack is suspected, the AD calls for a fluorescent penetrant or dye penetrant inspection (FPI or DPI). Corrosion must also be treated upon discovery.