AAIB Report: Maintenance Error Caused Reversed Tail Rotor Controls on Leonardo AW139
The UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has released its report into a serious incident involving a Leonardo AW139 at Humberside Airport. During a pre-takeoff check, the pilot experienced a severe and uncommanded right yaw. The investigation concluded that a tail rotor servo actuator had been installed incorrectly during recent maintenance. Its hydraulic pressure and return lines were swapped, causing the tail rotor to respond in the opposite direction to the pilot's pedal inputs. This critical error created a highly dangerous situation that was fortunately identified on the ground, preventing a potential accident.
Official Source: https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/aaib-investigation-to-leonardo-aw139-g-cimu
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