Recommendation Date
Recipient Name
Hamilton Jet
Text
Consider either recalling all old HJ-212 steering nozzles or producing a service bulletin warning users of possible failure and the consequences.
Reply Text
A recall is proceeding on old steering nozzles. However we wish to point out that this is a purely a precautionary measure as it appears to us that the Shotover failure was most likely the result of poor maintenance. We have recently examined the bush in the Huka Jet nozzle arm, which we believe is one of the nozzles mentioned in your accident report in which cracks were found. We found clear evidence that the steering crank was jamming in the nozzle arm before the nozzle could reach full lock in the same way as the failed Shotover nozzle. For this to happen the nozzle had to sustain considerable damage and for the steering system to be operated in this condition once again indicates a serious lack of maintenance.
Related Investigation(s)