Emergency AD Expected To Be Announced By FAA

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada's investigation of the downing of a Sikorsky S-92 helicopter earlier this month has prompted the Canadian agency to call for the grounding of all S-92s worldwide until an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) has been complied with.

TSB investigators determined a broken gearbox component had led to the crash. An alert issued by Sikorsky on January 28 had addressed the potential problem, saying the "main gearbox filter bowl assembly mounting titanium studs should be replaced with steel mounting studs." However, operators were given the option of performing the "one-time modification" within 1,250 flight hours or within a year of the alert's issue date.

CNN reports the TSB said Friday that the US Federal Aviation Administration would be issuing an emergency AD, grounding all Sikorsky S-92s globally until the modification is accomplished.

As ANN reported, a Sikorsky S-92 bound for two oil rigs off the coast of Newfoundland on March 12 experienced engine trouble and attempted to return to St. Johns. The aircraft, operated by Cougar Helicopters, failed to make it back, ditching in the North Atlantic about 31 miles from land.

First responders to the accident site reported wreckage strewn on the water. They also spotted two life rafts, but only one survivor. Despite wearing survival suits, the remaining 15 passengers and two crewmembers perished.

FMI: www.cougar.ca, www.tsb.gc.ca/en/