Final report after EC 130 driveshaft failure in Norway
Jan 21, 2016
The Norwegian Accident Investigation Board (AIBN) has published its final report following a serious aircraft incident that occurred at Rørvik Airport, in the Norwegian Nord-Trøndelag County, on 12 August 2015.
The helicopter involved in the incident was a commercially operated Eurocopter EC 130B4 registered LN-ORR. The helicopter was about to land at Rørvik Airport for refuelling, with the pilot and a loadmaster on board. As the aircraft approached the runway the helicopter started to rotate to the left. The pilot cut the engine power and performed an non-powered emergency landing from a height of approximately 5-10 meters. No injuries or damage occurred to the helicopter or the occupants.
The Accident Investigation Board concluded that the tail rotor shaft had fractured due to an incorrect installation of a tail rotor shaft bearing. The incorrect installation led to cyclic loads in the tail rotor, which eventually caused a fracture. The bearings on the tail rotor shaft were replaced in connection with scheduled maintenance some 98 flying hours prior to the incident. The Accident Investigation Board issued no recommendations in connection with the investigation.