Fatal 2022 B.C. helicopter crash linked to undetected defect: TSB
Posted November 16, 2023 1:13 pm.
The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) says an undetected defect within the engine of a helicopter caused a fatal crash on northern Vancouver Island last year.
The TSB says its investigation report examined the Apr. 6, 2022, crash of a Hughes 369D that went down near the Port McNeill aerodrome, killing the lone pilot.
The report says shrinkage voids developed during manufacturing of the helicopter engine’s sixth-stage compressor wheel, but that problem can’t be detected with existing inspection methods.
The compressor wheel eventually fractured in two places, which the board says caused “catastrophic” engine failure.
Because the pilot had just dropped a load of cedar blocks from a longline, the TSB says the helicopter was close to the ground and had little forward speed, leading to the crash within seconds of the engine failure.
“The helicopter likely had insufficient height and forward speed to conduct a successful autorotation,” the TSB said.
The board explains the manufacturer has reissued a commercial service letter, including a recommendation that its customers convert the compressor to the new wheel design during the next overhaul.
