Operators of the Airbus Helicopters H225 have been confronted with a new safety issue regarding the heavy-twin’s Safran Helicopter Engines Makila 2 powerplants.
European safety regulators have mandated the replacement of a particular bevel gears in the engine’s number one module.
The move follows the in-flight shutdown of a Makila turboshaft, says the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
“Subsequent investigations identified rupture of several teeth of the module 1 bevel gear, due to fatigue propagation,” says EASA.
If not immediately addressed, the problem could lead to a “further in-flight shutdown, possibly resulting in reduced control of the helicopter or total loss of power”.
Operators with two affected engines must replace the part or powerplant before the helicopter’s next flight, says the safety directive.
H225s in the second group are, however, subject to a heightened inspection regime.
All of this news comes in the wake of a fatal accident back in 2016 in which thirteen passengers and crew were tragically killed, caused by the catastrophic in-flight failure of an H225’s main gearbox.