Cracks in military's Cyclone helicopters could be linked to folding tail: expert
Cracks recently detected in most of the Canadian military's Cyclone helicopters could be linked to the aircraft's folding tail mechanism, a military aviation expert said Monday.
Larry McWha, former commander of 423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron at 12 Wing Shearwater in Nova Scotia, says he developed that hypothesis after noting the Cyclone's manufacturer, Sikorsky Aircraft, had not issued any related inspection advisories for the civilian version of the helicopter, known as the S-92.
Unlike the CH-148 Cyclone, the Sikorsky S-92 does not have a folding tail boom, a feature that allows the Cyclone to fit inside the small hangars aboard the Royal Canadian Navy's fleet of Halifax-class frigates.
"It appears to be a problem unique to the Cyclone," McWha said in an interview Monday. "And that leads me to speculate that it has something to do with (the folding tail)."
On Monday, a spokeswoman for the Department of National Defence said it would be premature to respond as the military is still investigating the cause of the cracks and how to repair them. The Royal Canadian Air Force confirmed Sunday it had discovered cracks in the tails of 19 of its 23 Cyclones.
McWha said he checked the websites for Sikorsky and its parent company, Lockheed Martin, as well as those for Transport Canada and the U.S.-based Federal Aviation Administration, but he couldn't find any new inspection advisories for the S-92.
"They act fairly swiftly if these airworthiness authorities believe that there is a common problem," said McWha, a retired Air Force colonel and former Sea King pilot. "They will issue advisories for special inspections .... That has not happened."
Meanwhile, the Air Force has said the maritime helicopters have not been grounded or placed on an operational pause.
As for what is causing the cracking, McWha said it could have something to do with the large hinges and locking mechanism used to attach the tail boom to the main fuselage. The hinges and locks are made from steel, but the boom itself is made from a composite material.
These parts are under tension from aerodynamic forces, vibrations and sudden shocks when the helicopter lands, he said.
"Under stress, the weaker of the two could crack or separate from the stronger material," McWha said. "They are critical. You don't want to have your tail flopping off in flight because something cracked or broke."
The cracks were first detected in one of the maritime helicopters during a routine inspection on Nov. 26 at 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron in Patricia Bay, B.C. The entire fleet is overseen by 12 Wing Shearwater, which has its own collection of Cyclones.
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.
Cyclones are typically deployed on board Canadian frigates and used for search and rescue, surveillance and anti-submarine warfare.
On April 29, 2020, a Cyclone carrying six military members crashed off the coast of Greece, killing all aboard. Two internal reviews by the Canadian Armed Forces found the helicopter's autopilot took control of the aircraft as the pilot was turning to land on HMCS Fredericton.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.