11-Jun-2014 Source: HeliHub.com
The formal report on the accidents to a Bond and a CHC EC225 in 2012 has now been released by the AAIB. A further seven new Safety Recommendations have been made, including five related to the liferafts and one related to the fatigue performance of components manufactured from high strength low alloy steel. These are listed below
Safety Recommendation 2014-013
It is recommended that the European Aviation Safety Agency provide Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) material for Certification Specification (CS) 29.1585, in relation to Rotorcraft Flight Manuals, similar to that provided for Aeroplane Flight Manuals in AMC 25.1581 to include cockpit checklists and systems descriptions and associated procedures.
Safety Recommendation 2014-014
It is recommended that the liferaft manufacturer, Survitec Group Limited, revises the Component Maintenance Manual for the Type 18R MK3 liferaft to include clear instructions and diagrams on how to route the rescue pack lines and mooring lines when packing the liferaft.
Safety Recommendation 2014-015
It is recommended that the aircraft manufacturer, Eurocopter Group, revise the Super Puma Aircraft Maintenance Manual Task 25-66-01-061 ‘Removal-Installation of the Liferaft Assembly’ to include clear instructions and diagrams on how to route the rescue pack lines and mooring lines when installing the liferaft.
Safety Recommendation 2014-016
It is recommended that the European Aviation Safety Agency review the installation of the Type 18R MK3 liferaft in the EC225 sponson to ensure that there is a high degree of deployment reliability in foreseeable sea conditions.
Safety Recommendation 2014-017
It is recommended that the European Aviation Safety Agency develop certification requirements for externally mounted liferafts fitted to offshore helicopters which ensure a high degree of deployment reliability in foreseeable sea conditions.
Safety Recommendation 2014-018
It is recommended that the European Aviation Safety Agency amend the regulatory requirements to require that the long mooring line on liferafts fitted to offshore helicopters is long enough to enable the liferaft to float at a safe distance from the helicopter and its rotor blades.
Safety Recommendation 2014-019
It is recommended that the European Aviation Safety Agency commission research into the fatigue performance of components manufactured from high strength low alloy steel. An aim of the research should be the prediction of the reduction in service-life and fatigue strength
Please click on the link below to access the report.
Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com
