Investigation Report
EC175 B Rotor Blade Failures at Offshore Platform During Strong Winds
Airbus Helicopters EC175 B, G-MCSH 06-25
- AAIB
- Investigation Report
- Dropped objectsMechanical failure
- Helicopter operationsInspection and maintenance
- Helicopter
- Functional testingIndependent audit and verificationPositive retention and reliable securingPreventive maintenance
- Upstream oil and gas
- HelideckOffshore installation
Summary
Investigates rotor blade failures on EC175 B G-MCSH at the Elgin platform during strong winds. A partially seized rotor brake prevented blade securing; local vertical airflow was considered to exacerbate blade sailing. The report examines maintenance, securing equipment, helideck airflow, wind reporting and flight recorder anomalies, and makes six safety recommendations.
Classifications: Dropped objects; falling objects; DROPS.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Helicopter operations; offshore aviation; rotary-wing operations.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Helicopter; rotorcraft.
Classifications: Functional testing; function test.
Classifications: Independent audit and verification.
Classifications: Positive retention and reliable securing.
Classifications: Preventive maintenance; preventative maintenance; planned maintenance.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Helideck; helicopter landing deck.
Classifications: Offshore installation; offshore platform; offshore rig.