[Peetwo]

Latest flurry of Popinjay activity to complete bollocks ATSB AAIs??

Via Popinjay HQ, this week's DTS Stewie Macleod:

Aerodrome operators urged to review use of non-standard surfaces for aircraft movement areas after prop strike incident



The propeller blade of a Beech 1900D regional airliner sheared off after it was struck by matting that had been installed to prevent stone damage to propeller blades at a gravel aerodrome.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation report from the incident notes that on 17 November 2022, the flight crew of the Beech 1900D, operated by Penjet, refuelled and then boarded passengers at Fortnum Aerodrome, in WA’s Murchison region, for a flight to Perth.

The runway, taxiways, and parking area at Fortnum are gravel. At the time of the incident, there were designated parking areas with pieces of conveyor belt matting fixed to the ground, intended to allow engines to be operated with minimal propeller damage from loose gravel.

“As the flight crew was conducting pre-take-off checks, the end of the conveyer belt matting under the left propeller was drawn into the propeller arc, resulting in a sheared propeller blade and vibration damage to the aircraft,” ATSB Director Transport Safety Stuart Macleod said.

The aerodrome manager, who witnessed the event, detailed that the propeller picked up a corner of the matting and one propeller blade was ejected about 50 to 100 m in the air.

In addition to the detached propeller blade, another propeller blade snapped approximately 250 mm from the blade tip, and the left engine propeller governor control arm fractured.

There was also buckling to the left engine firewall and cracking to the nacelle structure adjacent to the engine mount.

Since the incident, the aerodrome operator has removed the strips from the apron.

“The installation of the matting was a non-standard method to prevent propeller damage, and was not subject to any installation specifications or inspection requirements,” said Mr Macleod.

“As this occurrence demonstrates, the consequences of a propeller strike can be serious, and operators of aircraft and aerodromes are advised to review the use of any non-standard surfaces for aircraft movement areas.”

Read the report: Propeller strike due to foreign object debris involving Beech 1900D, registered VH-NYA, at Fortnum Aerodrome, WA on 17 November 2022

And:

Nut loosened over time before R44 drive belt tensioning motor failed during flight



Personnel involved in maintenance and operations of R44 helicopters should be aware of the risks posed by the failure of the drive belt tensioning motor, as demonstrated by an incident at Hamilton Island in January.

On 8 January 2023, the pilot of an R44 was on approach to Hamilton Island Airport, Queensland, when they noticed a persistent clutch warning light.

The pilot carried out the clutch warning light emergency procedure, and landed at the airport.

Ground crew found the clutch actuator electric drive motor had separated from the gearmotor assembly, and fallen between the drive belts and the right-hand fan shroud.

“A subsequent Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation found that during assembly of the gearmotor, the required thread adhesive was either not applied, or applied in a manner that did not prevent the loosening of the electric motor retaining nut,” ATSB Director Transport Safety Stuart Macleod said.

“Consequently, over time, normal aircraft vibrations loosened the retaining nut, resulting in the clutch actuator electric motor separating from the gearmotor assembly in flight.”

Robinson Helicopter Company advised the ATSB they are working with the component manufacturer to rectify identified quality issues with the gearmotor assembly.

Robinson said it is also considering updating the procedures for the inspection of the clutch actuator assembly.

“This incident is a reminder to R44 maintainers and operators to be aware of the risks posed by the failure of this component, specifically the risk of a loose component interfering with the v-belts and impacting rotor drive,” Mr Macleod said.

“The ATSB encourages pilots and maintenance engineers to physically check the security of the R44 clutch gearmotor assembly on a regular basis.”

Additionally, Mr Macleod emphasised that any discovered defects should be rectified, and reported to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and the manufacturer.

Read the report: Drive belt tensioning motor failure involving Robinson R44 helicopter, VH-ZUJ, at Hamilton Island Airport, Queensland, on 8 January 2023

This one is attributed to Godlike.. :

Forced landing accident following catastrophic engine failure highlights aircraft maintenance, type familiarity lessons



The Lycoming O-360 engine of a four-seat MS.893A Rallye light aircraft which failed during a ferry flight from Moruya to Archerfield, resulting in a forced landing and serious injuries to the pilot, had not been overhauled in more than two decades.

The ATSB’s investigation report from the 6 November 2020 accident details that the pilot experienced a catastrophic engine failure when they were about 37 km from their destination. With their forward visibility reduced due to engine oil over the windscreen and smoke created by escaping oil on the exhaust system, the pilot force landed in a paddock, with the aircraft striking trees.

Witnesses found the unconscious pilot had been thrown from the aircraft and moved them to safety before the aircraft was consumed by a post-impact fire.

“The ATSB’s investigation found the separation of the number 2 piston connecting rod initiated a catastrophic mechanical failure of the engine,” ATSB Director Transport Safety Dr Stuart Godley said.

The engine had not been overhauled since 1997, and had had limited usage for an extended period, possibly with no specific engine preservation done while in storage.

“Had the engine been overhauled at the manufacturer’s recommended calendar time, the connecting rod journal bearings would have been replaced with post-modification bearings,” Dr Godley said.

“This accident highlights the need for owners and maintainers to be cognisant of the manufacturer’s service information, to ensure the serviceability of engine and airframe systems are maintained to the highest standards.”

In addition, the pilot had been ferrying the aircraft on behalf of the owner and had limited aircraft type experience and knowledge of its performance capabilities.

“The pilot was unaware of the aircraft’s slow speed performance capability, a full understanding of which capability may have been beneficial when responding to the engine failure and forced landing,” Dr Godley said.

The investigation also found that the aircraft was not fitted with a fixed or portable emergency locator transmitter, and that the pilot did not leave a flight note with a responsible person.

“Fortunately the forced landing occurred in a populated area and there were witnesses to the accident who were able to render assistance and call emergency services,” Dr Godley said.

Read the report: Engine failure and collision with terrain involving S.E.D.E. Morane-Saulnier MS.893A, VH-UQI, 22 km south-west of Archerfield Airport, Queensland, on 6 November 2020

Publication Date
02/06/2023

MTF...P2