Defence force neglects Taipan helicopter engine blades before Jervis Bay crash

An investigation revealed that the Australian Defence Force did not replace the engine blades of an MRH-90 Taipan helicopter before a crash near Jervis Bay in March 2023, despite prior recommendations from the manufacturer. The incident resulted in minor injuries for the crew and occurred four months before a fatal crash involving another MRH-90 helicopter off Queensland, which claimed the lives of four servicemen. Following this, the government decided to retire the entire MRH-90 fleet early due to safety concerns. The report, presented in the Senate, indicated that the failure of an HP1 blade led to a contained engine failure during the Jervis Bay incident. The manufacturer had issued a service bulletin in 2017 advising operators to replace HP1 blades with modified versions due to previous failures in the global fleet. However, Defence officials concluded that the existing safety case for the helicopter's engine remained acceptable, albeit with a slight increase in the risk of engine failures. The investigation also highlighted that the pilot's decision to shut down the right engine did not align with standard emergency procedures. While the crew was not experiencing acute fatigue, the operational tempo and workload of the 6th Aviation Regiment contributed to cumulative fatigue, raising concerns about the overall safety culture within the Defence Force. Senator Malcolm Roberts criticized Defence for neglecting serious risks associated with the MRH-90 helicopter, questioning how many other issues may have been overlooked. The Defence spokesperson emphasized their commitment to supporting ongoing investigations into the subsequent Lindeman Island incident and the families affected by the July crash.