Recommends FAA Require Checks Into MRA Internal Leakage
The National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued two recommendations
that the FAA immediately require Sikorsky S-76 operators conduct
immediate checks into leakage in the internal assemblies of the
helicopters' main rotor actuators.
The NTSB's specific recommendations are as follows:
(Urgent A-05-33)
Conduct an immediate internal leakage test of all main rotor
actuators with more than 500 hours since new and/or overhaul;
Conduct subsequent recurring tests at a period not to exceed
500 hours;
Report the test results to the Federal Aviation Administration
and/or Sikorsky; and
Correct any problems as necessary.
(Urgent A-05-35)
The NTSB recommends the FAA require Sikorsky S-76 helicopter
operators to:
Conduct immediate visual and laboratory examinations of
hydraulic fluid and filter elements in hydraulic systems with
actuators with more than 500 hours since new and/or overhaul for
plasma flakes or other contamination that exceeds the
manufacturers' allowable limits of concentration and size;
Conduct subsequent recurring tests at a period not to exceed
500 hours;
Report findings of contamination and flakes to the Federal
Aviation Administration and/or Sikorsky and
Correct any problems as necessary.
The NTSB also recommends the FAA direct the principal operations
inspectors of all Sikorsky S-76 helicopter operators to reemphasize
the importance of, and requirement for, a preflight check of
control movement smoothness and flight control 'stick-jump' at
every engine start.
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