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The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) issued a press release providing an update on the helicopter that ‘crash landed’ near Newton on August 5, 2023.
Recalling that on the same date, the Authority released a statement informing the public about a safety incident involving the helicopter with Registration Number ZS-RWT. The helicopter was traveling from Monrovia en route to Banjul via Lungi, with overflight and landing permit number Lp/010823-057 for a technical stop only.
The Authority conducted an Airworthiness Inspection on the aircraft and identified the following issues:
- Stripping of the polyurethane laminate on the Rotor Blade.
- Pilots experienced severe vibrations on the Rotor head due to aerodynamic imbalance caused by delamination of the Rotor Blade tip.
- The delaminated section was cut off as a temporary field procedure to allow the Helicopter to be ferried to Hastings Aerodrome.
- Engine inspection revealed traces of oil leakage and hydraulic leak from the main Rotor hydraulic reservoir.
The Authority replaced the Rotor Blades with a new set, which was installed by a Maintenance Engineer from South Africa on August 13, 2023.
As a result, the Blades have been balanced, and the aircraft is now considered airworthy in accordance with its CATS/CARS.
The Authority concluded by assuring the general public of its commitment to enhancing the safety and security of civil aviation in the country.
