Airbus Helicopters is working alongside operators of its EC225 and EC725 helicopters to retrofit their fleet with the redesigned bevel gear ...
The retrofit solves the shaft failure and emergency lubrication system malfunction which caused two controlled ditchings of EC225 helicopters in the North Sea on May 10, 2012 and October 22, 2012.
The retrofit involves 260 helicopters and will span approximately 18 months in order to safely and efficiently equip all in-service helicopters with the redesigned shaft.
A dedicated industrial organization has been set up to minimize the impact on customers. Some 50 aircraft are flying with the redesigned shaft and have accumulated more than 5,000 hours.
The retrofit is carried out by module or main gear box exchange either during standard maintenance activity or proactively as organized with customers.
In addition, all new EC225/EC725 helicopters are delivered with the redesigned shaft installed.
The new design eliminates all three factors that, in combination, had caused two unexpected vertical shaft ruptures. It provides corrosion resistance, compensates for residual stress and eliminates stress hot spots.
The EC225/725 is an 11-ton-class rotorcraft and the latest evolution in Airbus Helicopters’ Super Puma family. With more than 375,000 flight hours logged in worldwide service to date, it is deployed in duties ranging from offshore transportation and cargo airlift to search and rescue (SAR), parapublic operations and military missions. More than 200 EC225/725s have been delivered to 35 operators.
