DECEMBER 2017 AUSTRALIAN AVIATION 77Jandakot-based RAC Rescue is
operated by CHC Helicopter under
contract for Western Australia’s
Department of Fire and Emergency
Services (DFES).
ATSB reports on Squirrel engine
failure
The Australian Transport Safety
Bureau (ATSB) has released its
final report into the engine failure
and forced landing of AS350 BA
Squirrel VH-SFX, which occurred
over dense forest in the Whyanbeel
Valley, Queensland on November 2
2015.
While conducting a low-altitude
aerial weed spotting operation,
the helicopter yawed twice in an
uncommanded manner. In response,
the pilot climbed and increased
the helicopter’s forward airspeed
and attempted to return to base.
However, the engine failed and the
pilot conducted an autorotation
landing.
The helicopter landed heavily
with the skids digging into the
uneven terrain and breaking off, but
remained upright. The helicopter
was not fitted with energy absorbing
front seats which may have reduced
the risk of injury to the navigator
in the front and the pilot who both
received injuries from the impact
forces.
Analysis of the engine identified
that the Squirrel lost power to its
Arriel 1B engine due to a front
bearing failure in the turbine
module. The failure was due to an
accumulation of coke particles in an
oil jet. The ATSB said it was unable
to conclude specifically why the
coke particles had formed.
The severity of the engine failure
was increased through the fracture
of the power turbine shaft and the
subsequent separation of the turbine
disc due to a lack of adhesive on the
splined nut that was threaded to the
rear of the power turbine shaft.
The engine manufacturer,
Safran, has amended its procedures
manual to include systematic
cleaning of the power turbine front
bearing assembly oil jet and oil
jet supply pipe. Safran has also
initiated a number of training and
process changes to ensure the
adhesive bonding between the
power turbine and the rear nut is
maintained during service.
The ATSB said the emergency
landing was handled in a competent
and proficient manner. The pilot’s
pre-departure briefing gave the
passengers the necessary knowledge
to prepare for the emergency by
adopting the brace position and
exiting the helicopter only when it
was safe to do so. The Bureau also
said its investigation highlights the
response to an abnormal operation
in a timely and proficient manner
can minimise the consequences of
an accident.Third H160 joins test program
Airbus Helicopters’ H160
certification test program continues
to gather pace after its third
prototype, PT3, made its first flight
at the company’s Marignane, France
headquarters on October 13.
Fitted with a cabin interior
configuration similar to a
production example, PT3 will
contribute to maturing the
certification activities and flight
testing towards the H160’s planned
entry into service in 2019.Bushfire Black Hawk to return
Scone-based Pay’s Helicopters is
again bringing an ex-US Army
UH-60A firefighting Black Hawk
to Australia this summer after a first
successful tour of duty last bushfire
season.
The refurbished Black Hawk,N563DJ, was shipped from
Timberline Helicopters’ Sandpoint,
Idaho facility in early November.
It is expected to arrive in Scone
during the first week of December.
The Black Hawk will again be
equipped with a 3,410 litre multi-
shot BBX7590 Bambi bucket with
a fast-fill pump to help fill it in just
over 30 seconds.
Last season, Timberline’s
N434TH, callsigned ‘Helitack 260’,
became the first civilian-registered
Black Hawk to operate in Australia
for aerial firefighting operations
where it demonstrated its value and
capabilities to state and territory
fire agencies.
Meanwhile in July, StarFlight
Australia, Sikorsky Helitech and
Kaan Air Australia signed an
agreement to bring an initial 10
ex-US Army UH-60 Black Hawk
helicopters into Australia to be
refurbished for use locally in aerial
firefighting, emergency services and
disaster relief operations.‘Charlie’ returns to the Capital
Former Snowy Hydro SouthCare
Rescue Helicopter Service’s Bell
412 Classic VH-NSC has returned to
the nation’s capital.
Devoid of its former sponsor
titles, rescue hoist and ERA fuel
tank, Canberra Helicopters hasbrought the iconic Bell 412,
affectionately known as ‘Charlie’,
back to the region re-configured for
fire attack and other utility duties.
Sponsored by insurance broker
Austbrokers Canberra, Charlie still
wears its green, white and blue
colours from its SouthCare career
but now features a new ‘Fast-Fin’
tail boom, bubble side window
and the ability to carry a 1,400lt
Simplex Fire Attack belly tank.
“VH-NSC is owned by us and
will now remain a permanent
resident of the region,” said
Canberra Helicopters’ general
manager and chief pilot Steve
Jones. “The aircraft can be quickly
configured for other roles including
search and rescue, passenger
transport for up to 14 passengers,
and sling load operations.”
The helicopter was retired from
rescue duties by CHC Helicopter
in early April following the end
of an 18 year contract with the
Snowy Hydro SouthCare Rescue
Helicopter Service.Briefs
» (^) CASA has issued a new
exemption (CASA EX120/17)
for pilots applying for a
helicopter aerial application
endorsement. The exemption
reduces the dual flight training
in aerial application operations
from 15 hours to 10 hours. The
exemption also requires pilots
gaining the endorsement under
the reduced hours to complete
an additional 10 hours of direct
supervision.
» (^) Long-term Bell Helicopter
partner Subaru Corporation
(formerly Fuji Heavy Industries)
has signed a contract for 150
Bell 412EPIs for the Japan
Ground Self-Defense Force
(JGSDF) as the service’s new
utility transport helicopter.
The 412EPI will replace the
JGSDF’s existing UH-1J fleet.
The contract also includes an
agreement to build a further 150
examples of the type for export.
» (^) The Western Australia
government has announced
it will provide future funding
for Bunbury-based RAC
Rescue helicopter service. The
government has allocated over
$27 million for the south-west
service which first flew on
February 1 2016.
Former Snowy Hydro SouthCare Bell 412 Classic, VH-NSC, has a new lease on life and is back in
Canberra. STEVE MILLS
Timberline Helicopters’ UH-60A Black Hawk N563DJ is heading
to Australia to work through Pay’s Helicopters of Scone, NSW
this bushfire season. TIMBERLINE HELICOPTERS