What was found
THE ENGINE CHIP DETECTOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN CRUISE FLIGHT OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO. THE PILOT LANDED THE HELICOPTER ON NEAREST OFFSHORE PLATFORM, APPROXIMATELY 7 MILES AWAY. MAINTENANCE INSPECTED THE CHIP DETECTOR PLUGS AND FOUND THE LOWER PLUG COVERED WITH METAL SHAVINGS AND A PIECE OF METAL .50 INCH LONG BY .25 INCH WIDE. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED ON THE OFFSHORE PLATFORM. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE NR 4 PINION BEARING ROLLER CAGE HAD FRACTURED. A LARGE PIECE OF THE ROLLER CAGE WAS MISSING.