Investigation Report
AW139 Tail Rotor Duplex Bearing Failure Discovered During Maintenance
Leonardo AW139, G-CIMU 06-26
- AAIB
- Investigation Report
- Mechanical failureRegulation and legislation
- Helicopter operationsInspection and maintenance
- Helicopter
- Operating and work proceduresPreventive maintenance
- Upstream oil and gas
Summary
AAIB investigates a tail rotor duplex bearing failure on AW139 G-CIMU, discovered during maintenance at Norwich Airport after offshore passenger operations. Forensic examination could not establish the initiating cause. Rig testing discounted removal damage, while flight-data analysis identified pedal-position trends. The report examines inspection limits, condition monitoring and critical-part regulatory assurance.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Regulation and legislation; safety legislation; regulatory requirements.
Classifications: Helicopter operations; offshore aviation; rotary-wing operations.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Helicopter; rotorcraft.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Preventive maintenance; preventative maintenance; planned maintenance.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.