Accident report after engine failure released
May 30, 2011
The Swedish Accident Investigation Board (Statens Haverikommission, SHK) has published its final report after an accident that occurred on 1 July 2009 at Klutsjön (Idre), involving a helicopter with the registration SE-JBU.
The helicopter, a Hughes 500D, was performing a reindeer herding and was hovering at roughly 10-12 meters above the ground when its engine suddenly failed. The aircraft fell rapidly and hit hard. The two occupants obtained back injuries, but they were able to evacuate the wrecked helicopter and alert the rescue service, which arrived in approx 1 hour and 15 minutes.
The Investigation Board has determined that the coupling between the engine compressor and turbine, a so-called Splined Adapter, had snapped due to a fatigue crack. The Board considers the Splined Adapter a week component in the engine design, despite measures taken by engine manufacturers and regulators.
SHK found reasons to criticize the national rescue helicopter service for its lack of endurance during the rescue operation. The Board has determined that the existing helicopters meet the current requirements in terms of endurance, stipulated by the Swedish Maritime Administration, but that the requirements can limit the helicopter’s capacity at the scene of an accident. SHK writes that there is a need to improve the current operational requirements for SAR helicopters in endurance and loading capacity.