Discovery of Damage
During a preflight examination of a Sikorsky S76 helicopter, an instructor and a student discovered a hole in the leading edge of the pylon above the intermediate gear box. Additionally, a scuff mark was observed on the main rotor blade caps. The inspection was conducted after the completion of a 2.1-hour training session, which involved 18 takeoffs and landings. The crew was about to begin a second training session when the damage was identified.
Circumstances
The time at which the damage occurred is unknown. The aircraft had just completed a training session with multiple takeoffs and landings, but the specific point during the flight when the hole and scuff mark were sustained could not be determined. The discovery was made during a routine preflight check before the next flight.
Aircraft and Crew
The helicopter involved was a Sikorsky S76. The instructor and student were conducting training operations. The source does not provide additional details about the aircraft's registration, the operator, or the location of the training.
Damage Details
The hole was located on the leading edge of the pylon, above the intermediate gear box. The scuff mark was found on the main rotor blade caps. No other damage is mentioned in the source. The extent of the damage and any required repairs are not specified.
Subsequent Actions
The source does not describe any further actions taken after the discovery, such as whether the flight was cancelled or maintenance was performed. The report is limited to the finding of the damage during the preflight inspection.