THE SUMMARY
“The helicopter was returning from the Signal Oil rig off the coast of Saltpond to Kotoka International Airport when the pilot experienced excessive vibration which he took to be engine trouble. This made him decide to make a precautionary landing on the coast. Before the landing could be accomplished a technical failure of the transmission gearbox occurred resulting in complete loss of control of the helicopter with fatal results to the pilot and passengers. The helicopter was wrecked but there was no fire.
1. INVESTIGATION
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1.1 History of the flight
UNAVAILABLE IN DETAIL HERE
1.2 Injury to persons
1 Crew (fatal)
3 passengers (fatal)
Non-fatal (None)
1.3 Damage to aircraft (Total destruction)
1.4 Other damage (No damage to other properties)
1.5 Crew information
1.5.1 The Pilot, Captain Peter John Faid, a British national by birth was aged 36 years and held a valid United Kingdom Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence. (for more information and other relevant details as provided for in in the original accident report)
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. It is recommended that the main gearbox plug chip detector must be replaced by the improved magnetic chip detector P/N B168 as mandatory modification (See Appendix C.)
2. It is recommended rather strongly that specific instructions be issued by the manufacturers giving guidance on interpretation of any mechanical failure as indicated by particles adhering to the main gearbox magnetic plug.
3. Consideration should be given to the up-grading of the modification to the planetary pinion gear bearing P/N 206-040-035-5.”
