Government publishes B-HRN aircraft accident report
***************************************************

     The Government today (July 18) published the final report of the investigation into a helicopter accident that took place on December 27, 2010, at Shing Mun Reservoir involving a Eurocopter AS332 L2 Super Puma helicopter operated by the Government Flying Service (GFS) on a firefighting mission.

     The accident involved a firefighting flight by a Eurocopter AS332 L2 Super Puma helicopter operated by the GFS. The helicopter ditched in a controlled manner into the reservoir. There was no injury to the three crew members on board or other persons on the ground.

     "After the accident, the Chief Inspector of Accidents immediately ordered an inspector's investigation in accordance with the Hong Kong Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations (Chapter 448B). The objective of the investigation was to determine the circumstances and the causes of the accident with a view to the preservation of life and the avoidance of accidents in the future," a Civil Aviation Department (CAD) spokesperson said.

     The investigation was conducted by a team of trained accident investigators in strict adherence to the international standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization. The investigation report contains an analysis of the circumstances of the accident, and identifies the cause of the accident, which was the overspeed of the free turbine of the engine in question that led to the activation of the automatic protection system and the subsequent engine shutdown. The report has put forward one safety recommendation to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the authority for promoting safety in civil aviation in Europe, to mandate the installation of a reinforced main gearbox on all helicopters of the same model which are operated for carriage of heavy loads.

     "The EASA has taken note of the recommendation. The CAD will continue to follow up with the EASA after the release of the final report," the spokesperson said.

     Throughout the accident investigation, all parties concerned were given ample opportunities to comment on the findings of the report.

     The report is available for download from the CAD's website (www.cad.gov.hk/english/reports.html).

Ends/Thursday, July 18, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:00

NNNN