Emergency Airworthiness Directive Issued by Canada Due to Helicopter Engine Crack Risk
Transport Canada has issued an emergency airworthiness directive. This critical safety concern affects Leonardo AW169 and Sikorsky S-76D helicopters. These helicopters are powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210 turboshaft engines.
The directive was released on June 4, 2026. It mandates visual inspections for cracks in the turbine exhaust frame (TEF). This action was taken after operators reported circumferential cracks at the external surface. The investigation revealed that the cracks originated from a TEF wall. This wall was found to be under the minimum required thickness. This issue resulted from thermal stress linked to engine starts. TEF failures can lead to engine damage and the release of parts.
Operators of engines with more than 7,000 cycles must complete inspections within 5 hours of flight time or 20 engine starts. Meanwhile, those with 2,000-7,000 hours must inspect within 50 hours or 200 starts. Repetitive inspections are required at intervals of less than 200 engine starts. Aircraft with cracks exceeding 9.5 inches must be grounded until component replacement. Pratt & Whitney Canada had already published a service bulletin in May addressing the issue.
Source: FlightGlobal