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In accordance with the Hong Kong Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations (Cap. 448 sub. leg. B), an inspector's investigation is in progress to determine the circumstances and causes of the ditching accident involving an AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter (registration mark B-MHJ) operated by East Asia Airlines at Victoria Harbour on July 3, 2010.
The investigation team today (November 18) released Accident Bulletin 4/2011 as an update to Accident Bulletin 2/2010 issued on July 27, 2010, and the Interim Statement 2/2011 issued on June 29.
A spokesman of the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) said that the objective of the investigation is to determine the circumstances and causes of the accident with a view to preventing accidents and preserving life in the future. It is not for apportioning blame or liability.
"The updated bulletin contains information relating to the accident as determined up to the time of issue, and must be regarded as tentative," he said.
"The focus of the investigation is to identify the circumstances leading to the breakage of the White Blade and the detachment of the tail rotor and tail gearbox assembly. According to the forensic engineering analysis completed by a defence technology agency in the United Kingdom with expertise in forensic engineering of aircraft composites commissioned by the investigation team, the examined samples of the Blue Blade, Yellow Blade and the remaining portion of the White Blade indicate that these blades did not comply fully with AgustaWestland's specifications. The investigation team considered that the manufacturing process of the AW139 tail rotor blades should be reviewed. Also, further static, fatigue, dynamic and aerodynamic tests and analyses would be required to determine the cause of the breakage of the White Blade and the detachment of the tail rotor and tail gearbox assembly. The investigation team issued two recommendations."
The spokesperson added, "The investigation team will continue to investigate the circumstances of the accident."
The full Accident Bulletin 4/2011 is attached in the Annex. It is also available for download at the CAD webpage (www.cad.gov.hk/english/reports.html).
Ends/Friday, November 18, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:39
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