Komunitas penerbangan helikopter digetarkan lagi pada akhir april dengan kecelakaan Super Puma milik CHC di dekat Bergen, Norwegia. Tidak diduga sebelumnya, badan investigasi kecelakaan Norwegia (AIBN) mengeluarkan laporan sementara kecelakaan yang diikuti oleh langkah² drastis oleh beberapa regulator. Berikut laporannya:
Introduction
This preliminary report is published to disseminate new and significant findings from the on-going metallurgical examinations. The report contains one safety recommendation to the European Safety Agency (EASA).
Reference is made to the AIBN preliminary report dated 13 May 2016, which was updated on 27 May (ref. Preliminary Report 27.05.2016). At that time, the AIBN considered three possible failure scenarios: Failure of epicyclic module, suspension bar (lift strut) attachment and MGB conical housing
Metallurgical Examinations Detailed metallurgical examinations have been ongoing since 19 May. Several parts from the second stage epicyclic module were retrieved from the accident site. The epicyclic module planet gears are designed as a combined gear and bearing assembly. Figure 1 shows one of eight second stage planet gears.
Planet gears have a double function, acting as a gear on the outside while at the same time functioning as the outer race of a roller bearing on the inside. In order to improve wear resistance it has been given a hard outer surface through a carburization process.
Among the recovered parts were two pieces which together form approximately half a second stage planet gear. Examinations of these parts have revealed features strongly consistent with fatigue. The fatigue appears to have its origin in the outer race of the bearing (inside of the gear), propagating towards the web of the gear teeth. There is sign of spalling in front of the fracture surface.
Although preliminary, the AIBN considers these findings to be of such significance that it has decided to issue the following safety recommendation to ensure the continuing airworthiness of the Main Gear Box (MGB).
Safety Recommendation
Recent metallurgical findings have revealed features strongly consistent with fatigue in the outer race of a second stage planet gear in the epicyclic module of the MGB. It cannot be ruled out that this signifies a possible safety issue that can affect other MGBs of the same type. The nature of the catastrophic failure of the LN-OJF main rotor system indicates that the current means to detect a failure in advance are not effective.
The AIBN therefore recommends that EASA take immediate action to ensure the safety of the Airbus Helicopters H225 Main Gear Box. The investigation is ongoing and updates will follow.
The Accident Investigation Board Norway Lillestrøm, 1 June 2016
Kecelakaan helikopter diakibatkan oleh kerusakan gearbox tidak hanya terjadi pada Super Puma, namun informasi ini cukup mirip dengan kecelakaan yang menimpa Super Puma milik Bond Helicopters di Laut Utara tahun 2009, yang juga diakibatkan oleh kerusakan gearbox diikuti dengan lepasnya main rotor dari badan pesawat. Kehilangan main rotor adalah mimpi buruk semua orang di dunia helikopter.
Aksi Drastis Namun Dibutuhkan
Setelah laporan sementara kecelakaan diumumkan, EASA telah menerbitkan Emergency Airworthiness Directive yang melarang sementara semua penerbangan AS332 dan EC225 yang mengangkut penumpang, selagi menunggu hasil lanjut investigasi terutama menyangkut penyebab kerusakan gearbox. Penerbangan oleh AS332 L2 dan EC225 LP yang dilakukan untuk pihak militer, bea cukai, polisi, search and rescue, pemadam kebakaran, coastguard, dan aktifitas serupa lainnya, diperbolehkan dan dikecualikan dari Emergency Airworthiness Directive ini.
Tentunya, Emergency AD ini akan sangat berdampak pada penerbangan di sektor Oil and Gas diseluruh dunia karena Super Puma merupakan bagian yang cukup penting dan besar di armada sektor ini. Beberapa pihak pun sudah meminta agar gearbox Super Puma di desain ulang, namun apakah ini merupakan langkah yang tepat masih diperdebatkan. Yang penting investigasi dilanjutkan guna mencari akar penyebab kecelakaan ini.