TH-57 fleet grounding

[Flying Low]

So the whole fleet hasn't been grounded but I thought I would start a thread to help provide some info for those that aren't real sure what is going on. Here is the deal. 6 months ago HT-8 had an engine failure at night over the runway. 3 weeks ago HT-28 had an engine failure at PNS on climb out. 2 nights ago HT-28 had another failure at Santa Rosa. The cause of all 3 of these is the Nf Governor. There is a new manufacturer that is making this part. I'm not sure how new. The same part caused 3 Bell 206's to have engine failures this week at Ft Rucker.

As of today out of 119 aircraft 11 have the old governor and are up aircraft. 9 Bravos and 2 Charlies, one of those being a NVG bird. Those 11 have to be shared between the 3 squadrons. I don't know what the time line is for things to get back on track. We are also waiting to see what happens when the NTSB gets the reports today or tomorrow. Lots of people out there are flying 206's besides us. I think we just saw it first due to the number of hours we fly. That is pretty much all I know at this point.

Smoke

 

[S.O.B.]

3 weeks ago HT-28 had an engine failure at PNS on climb out.

Smoke

How did that turn out?

 

[Flying Low]

He was at 500 feet and just turned to the north after taking off from the taxiway parallel to RWY 8. He had a full bag of gas and a student in the back. This was on a Saturday. He did a 180 and wanted to go to 26 but someone was taking off so he just continued to the taxiway. He hit the ground, got airborne again for 40-50 feet and then skidded to a stop. He only spread the skids a little. No injuries.

 

[phrogdriver]

That must have been quite a wake-up call. Nice flying. Was it a Charlie or a Bravo? A full Charlie would be a handful to do a 180 in.

 

[llnick2001]

Sounds like they were lucky and good. Glad everyone is safe.

 

[HokiePilot]

A Charlie. The student up front was under the hood with the observer in the back.

The one Tuesday night was in a Charlie on a Night Con. On a normal approach at 15 ft the engine quit. Executed a cut gun (simulated engine failure in a 5ft hover) and student said that the landing felt just like a bad cut gun.

 

[Flying Low]

I think it helped that the one from PNS was a CAT 1 instructor that does full autos all the time.

 

[loadtoad]

Quick question. Do you solo as a SNA in helo's?

 

[phrogpilot73]

Quick question. Do you solo as a SNA in helo's?

Yes and no, you have a partner in crime (SNA) that sits next to you...

 

[llnick2001]

Sort of. It's you and another student or winger (a winger is someone who just got their wings and just hasn't left yet).
Like he said...

 

[HokiePilot]

"Solo's" are flow with another student as an observer. The Pilot at the controls should not remove his hands from the controls. The other pilot tunes radios and such.

There are three solo flighs. The first one is in contacts. The other two are a VFR and an IFR that are flow as an out and in right after instrument check.

 

[loadtoad]

Sounds fun. Thanks

 

[mb1k]

Sort of. It's you and another student or winger (a winger is someone who just got their wings and just hasn't left yet).
Like he said...

I spent 3 months after getting winged stashed signing log books and seating seat meat for SNA solos!

Well done to all the pilots involved. A testament to their skill and training...

 

[PSno23]

So have they determined what, exactly, is causing the engines to fail? Or do they have any ideas? Aside from the fact that the aircraft involved have Nf governors from the new manufacturer.

 

[Purdue]

Glad I got out of Milton last month... my buddy's behind me appear to be in for a loooong wait.