Cracked Cyclones: One military helicopter repaired using reinforcement in the tail
Repairs have been completed on one of the Canadian military's 19 Cyclone helicopters recently found with cracks in its tail, the Royal Canadian Air Force confirmed Wednesday.
The Air Force issued a statement saying Sikorsky Aircraft, the U.S.-based manufacturer of the 24 Cyclones delivered to the military, has devised a fix that involves the installation of reinforcements to provide added strength to the helicopter's airframe.
"Repairs are underway for several aircraft, as our engineering and technical experts are working closely with Sikorsky to return the fleet to serviceability," Maj Cynthia Kent said in the statement.
Kent said it will take about two to three days to repair each aircraft, but she did not release any details about the nature of the damage.
"We do not yet have a definitive timeline for the completion of the repairs," Kent said. "We have not seen this issue before with the RCAF CH-148 fleet, and the cause is still under investigation with the manufacturer."
The Air Force has said its fleet of CH-148 Cyclones has not technically been grounded or placed on an operational pause, but Kent confirmed the 19 damaged aircraft were removed from regular flying duties.
Kent dismissed speculation that the cracks could have appeared in aircraft's folding tail mechanism, which is unique to the Cyclone variant of Sikorsky's S-92 civilian helicopter. No cracking was found on the tail's hinge or locking mechanism, she said.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Sikorsky confirmed Wednesday that the cracks -- first detected on Nov. 26 in a B.C.-based helicopter -- were found in the forward portion of the tail cone, which is the section of the tail closest to the fuselage.
John Dorrian said the cracks do not pose an immediate safety hazard, but he said that could have changed if the damaged helicopters had kept flying without repairs.
"If you continue flying it when it has cracks, it can become (a hazard)," he said in an interview. "The intent is to get the repairs done rapidly to prevent the cracks from getting worse and more expensive to fix."
As well, Dorrian confirmed that there are no cracks in any of the helicopters' "primary structural load components," which refers to the airframe's key load-bearing parts.
"We are working with the RCAF to resolve the issue," he said in an email. "Preliminary analysis suggests this issue is unique to the (Cyclone) airframe configuration."
The cracks were first detected during a routine inspection at 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron in Patricia Bay, B.C., which has six Cyclones. The entire fleet is overseen by 12 Wing Shearwater, which has 17 helicopters.
One Cyclone crashed off the coast of Greece in April 2020, killing all six military members aboard.
The military said Sunday that two Cyclones did not appear to have any tail defects, and the remaining two in the fleet were receiving longer-term maintenance and will be inspected at a later date.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.