EC225 Knowledge Center: Global Story
Since its entry into service in 2005, the EC225/EC725 fleet (165 aircraft) has logged in total more than 300,000 flight hours operating often in the most extreme conditions.
In 2012, two controlled ditchings of EC225 occurred in the North Sea. In both cases:
The crew and passengers were safely rescued.
An emergency lubrication warning came on. Decision was taken to perform a controlled sea landing, as required by the flight manual.
A failure of the vertical shaft was identified.
In coordination with EASA, Eurocopter has implemented preventive measures to mitigate the risk of recurrence of ditching.
Today, Eurocopter considers the EC225 technical problems which led to the two controlled ditchings of EC225 in the North Sea in 2012 to be fully understood.
The safety measures have been approved by the EASA. We expect the operational restrictions imposed by certain national aviation authorities to be lifted shortly.
More info on http://www.ec225-news.com