Engine shutdown caused fatal Army helicopter crash in Feb.: military

On February 9, a military helicopter crashed during an emergency landing training exercise, killing two soldiers. The Army has identified sudden engine failure as the primary cause of the accident. During the incident, the helicopter's engine experienced a cylinder misalignment, leading to a vibrating central drive shaft. This vibration caused the shaft to whip around wildly, resulting in extreme heat that melted components and ultimately shut down the engine.

The Army officials stated that the accident was caused by a physical factor, specifically an engine flameout due to a fault in the internal cylinder of the aircraft's exhaust diffuser. The Army plans to consult with the Joint Chiefs of Staff to consider accelerating the retirement of the AH-1S Cobra helicopter, which was first introduced in 1988 and deployed in 1991.

The helicopter's replacement, the LAH-1 Miron, will also have its operational deployment plan adjusted to ensure its stable fielding. To enhance safety oversight, the Army will transfer aviation safety management functions from the Army Aviation Command to the Army Headquarters Combat Readiness and Safety Group by next April. Additionally, the Army will improve the safety management system at airfields that operate both helicopters and drones, transitioning from individual checks to integrated inspections for manned and unmanned platforms.