By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) has in a press release updated the public on about that helicopter that unlawfully landed near Newton in the outskirt of freetown on August 5, 2023.
Recall that on the same date, the Sierra Leone police also issued a press statement informing the public about the incident with the helicopter’s registration number Z5-RWT.
The said helicopter was travelling from Monrovia enroute to Banjul via Lungi, with overflight and landing permit number Lp/010823-057 for a technical stop only.
The authority in its press release said it conducted am Airworthiness inspection on the aircraft and identified the following issues.
Stripping of the polyurethane laminate on the Rotor head due to aerodynamic imbalance caused by delamination section of the Rotor Blade tip.
The said delaminated section was cut off as a temporary field procedure to allow the helicopter to be ferried to Hastings Aerodome.
Engine inspection revealed traces of oil leakage and hydraulic leak from the main rotor hydraulic reservoir.
The Authority in its press release stated that it replaced the Rotor Blades with a new set, which was installed by a maintenance engineer from South Africa on August 13th 2023, as a result, the blades have been balanced, and the aircraft is now considered airworthy in accordance with its CATS/CARS.
The Authority concluded by assuring the general public of its commitment to enhancing the safety and security of civil aviation in the country.