EC 135P3 Engine Warning Leads to Grounding of Medical Helicopter

Casualties unknown • Wólka Dolna / Sokołów Podlaski, PL

An EC 135P3 helicopter operating for an LPR branch was grounded after a transmission chip warning was detected during engine idling.

What happened

On May 1, 2019, a medical mission was underway involving a branch of the Polish Medical Air Rescue (LPR) based in Sokołów Podlaski. After completing a flight to Wólka Dolna to transport a patient, the crew prepared for a subsequent flight to the Provincial Hospital in Siedlce.

While the engines were running at idle, the Crew Alerting Display (CAD) issued an XMSN CHIP warning, indicating the detection of metal particles within the main gearbox. In response to this warning, the pilot decided to abort the mission, shut down the engines, and grounded the aircraft at the location of the incident. Following consultation with the Technical Coordination Center, the helicopter was prohibited from further flight until a technical inspection could be performed.

The investigation

Technical personnel inspected the aircraft and identified a

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2019-05-01 EUROCOPTER, EC-135/P3 accident near Wólka Dolna / Sokołów Podlaski, PL?

An EC 135P3 helicopter operating for an LPR branch was grounded after a transmission chip warning was detected during engine idling.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2019-05-01 involved a EUROCOPTER, EC-135/P3, registration SP-DXC, operated by Pilot śmigłowcowy zawodowy, at Wólka Dolna / Sokołów Podlaski, PL.

Investigation report by the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL). Original record: https://pkbwl.gov.pl/raporty/2019-1389/. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Panstwowa Komisja Badania Wypadkow Lotniczych (PKBWL), Poland.

Loading the flight search…