News story

AAIB Report: MD 900 (G-LNDN), Avionics abnormalities in flight

Various electrical system faults due to water ingress, in flight between Royal London Hospital and RAF Northolt, Greater London, 25 July 2021.

G-LNDN on the helipad at Royal London Hospital during heavy rainfall

During a flight from the Royal London Hospital to RAF Northolt, a MD 900 (G-LNDN) suffered a series of electrical system faults. The electrical failures were the result of water ingress, 25 July 2021.

The first faults related to the stability augmentation system and the commander’s flight instrument displays but did not materially affect the conduct of the flight. Later, when approximately 4 nm from their destination, the pilots were alerted to electronic engine control system fault indications for both engines. A ‘critical’ fault on the right engine required the pilots to manually control its throttle but the fault on the left engine was non-critical and the engine operated as expected in the normal (automatic) control mode. The pilots were able to complete an uneventful approach and landing at RAF Northolt.

The investigation found that the electrical failures were the result of water ingress from the right engine bay onto electronic components located in the rear fuselage area.

Read the report.

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Published 23 June 2022