Investigation Report
Super Puma Main Rotor Gearbox Failure During Offshore Passenger Flight
AAR 2-2011 - Aerospatiale (Eurocopter) AS332 L2 Super Puma, G-REDL
- AAIB
- Investigation Report
- AAR 2/2011
- Material fatigueMechanical failure
- Helicopter operationsInspection and maintenance
- Helicopter
- Alarm managementOperating and work procedures
- Upstream oil and gas
- Marine waters
Summary
Investigation of G-REDL’s fatal North Sea accident during a passenger flight from the Miller Platform to Aberdeen. A second-stage planet gear fatigue fracture caused catastrophic main rotor gearbox failure. The report examines chip detection, HUMS limitations, particle identification and maintenance communications, recommending improved degradation detection and flight-crew warnings.
Classifications: Material fatigue; metal fatigue.
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: Alarm management.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Marine waters.
AAR 2/2011.