U.S. Medium Bell Helicopters Put On "Tactical Pause" By Fire Agencies After Canadian Helicopter Crash.
This includes ships with the Forest Service and Department of Interior.
The United States Forest Service released a memo today informing all wildfire operators of Bell Medium Helicopters that an immediate tactical pause was being implemented nationwide. This includes Bell 205, 212 or a UH-1.
These are ships mostly used for crew transports, cargo missions, and bucket work.
This is coming after the Bell 212 crash that took place in the Northwest Territories just days ago at Fort Good Hope Airport while conducting wildfire suppression activities. The Canadian Provincial Fire Managers and the Helicopter Association of Canada contacted the USFS, even though there is an ongoing investigation, due to the urgent need to pass along the mechanism of failure on the Canadian helicopter.
It seems there was an issue with the outboard blade retention pin position, specifically the strap that is part of that mechanism. There was also a tactical pause in Canada, but I have received reports that Medium helicopters with Bell OEM tension torsion straps in the main rotor head are back up flying in Canada.
The piece in question is used on Bell Medium ships but is not an original Bell part. This is a picture of the failure point, shared with me under condition of anonymity.
Here is the release that was sent out addressing the “tactical pause” and the information on the point of failure:
Type 2 USFS Helicopter - In coordination with the Department of Interior, Bell medium helicopters are on a tactical pause with the Forest Service. This means there will be no operational flight until the tactical pause is lifted.
If your company operates a 205, 212 or a UH-1…
From the Airworthiness Branch Chief:
In every case of an aviation accident, there is an information gap that is appropriate due to the needed investigation but is unsettling due to continuing operations using the same aircraft while the investigation gets to the facts. There is a balance in sharing quickly and as accurate information as possible without jumping to incorrect conclusions.
As we are all aware, no causal factor is determined in any investigation for typically a year or more. Sharing of the information below is just that, sharing information so that our contractors have it as soon as we do so decisions can be made with all the data available. As more information is available, we will continue to share it.
The following information was shared with the Forest Service from Canadian Provincial Fire Managers and the Helicopter Association of Canada:
"HAC, Helicopter Association of Canada, has been provided information directly from the TSB as it relates to a recent accident involving a Bell 212 type aircraft. In the interest of aviation safety, and providing factual information to industry the following has been shared by the Transportation Safety Board and has been cleared for release. Initial reporting from the TSB is such that the aircraft experienced a torque tension strap failure.
The following text is direct from the TSB: The failure end is on the outboard blade retention pin position. There are no issues with the pin itself. It is the strap that has failed. Bell and Transport Canada have been made aware.
The following was stamped into the strap:
Manufacturer: Airwolf Aerospace LLC, FAA-PMA, REV B P/N: AA-204-310-101-101 S/N: CA11407 LOT: TC-797
If you require any further information, HAC recommends you contact Air Wolf or the Transportation Board directly as they will be able to provide factual information as it becomes available.
Please anticipate being on this tactical pause until COB 7/2/2024 or until notified that the tactical pause has been lifted. Only the Contracting Officer will notify operators when the tactical pause is lifted.
It sounds like the pause will be short as people check what parts they have installed on their helicopters. It's great to see this quick coordination across borders by Agencies and Oversight Boards.
While the investigation into the Canadian crash continues, no official word has been given on the pilot's condition.
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