Service difficulty report · Blade · Bolkms BK117A3

Difficulty date
March 3, 2002
Submitted
March 14, 2002
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N526MB
Make and model
Bolkms BK117A3
Aircraft serial
7102
Part
Blade
Condition
Damaged
Location
Main Rotor
Stage of operation
TX
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
O

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

DURING MAIN ROTOR COAST DOWN, AFTER ENGINE SHUT DOWN ON THE HOSPITAL ROOF HELIPAD AT APPROX 40 PER CENT NR ONE MAIN ROTOR BLADE CONTACTED AND DAMAGED BOTH VERTICAL STABILIZER. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. IN HIGH AND GUSTY WINDS WITH LOW ROTOR SPEEDS, DURING START OR SHUT DOWN, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CENTRIPETAL FORCE TO KEPT THE BLADES FROM FLAPPING EXCESSIVELY. THIS RESULTS IN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRIKING ONE OR BOTH VERTICAL STABILIZERS. THE AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS FIX WAS TO INSTALL KNOCKOUT PLUGS IN THE LEADING EDGE OF THE VERTICAL STABILIZERS TO LESSEN THE SEVERITY AND COST OF THE REPAIR. ONE MAIN ROTOR BLADE REPLACED DUE TO TRAILING EDGE SEPARATION. BOTH VERTICAL STABILIZERS REMOVED FOR REPAIR.