TSB releases more details of crash, investigation
The Telegram
Officials with the Transportation Safety Board confirmed today that a bolt in the main gearbox failed during flight and resulted in a sudden loss of oil pressure prior to the crash of the Sikorsky S-92 A in the Atlantic Ocean off Newfoundland March 12.
The crash killed 17 of the 18 people onboard the Cougar helicopter, which was making its way to oil platforms on the Grand Banks.
TSB officials released the finding during a news briefing today at St. John’s International Airport.
“So far we cannot find any other anomaly that would account for that loss of oil pressure. However, there is further analysis and work to be done on how and why that stud broke,” said Mike Cunningham.
It was one of many new details released today as investigators continue their search into the cause of the deadly crash.
Roughly 95 per cent of the wreckage has been recovered from the ocean floor, and the gear box has been sent to Sikorsky headquarters in Connecticut for analysis.
Officials related a detailed chain events just prior to the crash, and noted the flight data recorder indicated oil pressure in the gear box had dropped to zero. There was also a power interruption prior to the crash which caused the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder to shut off.
The flight crew radioed they were preparing to ditch, and radar indicates the aircraft descended at roughly 1,000 feet per minute. Impact data indicates the helicopter hit the water with an impact 20 times the force of gravity.
TSB officials also corrected earlier information that the chopper had crashed nose-first. It now appears the craft crashed “belly-down,” with the tail hitting first.
Cunningham also explained that 70 per cent of the worldwide fleet of Sikorsky S-92 A helicopters have now had these studs replaced.
He cautioned that the investigation is still in its early stages.