DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 172/10
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
MRH90 Failed Engine Investigation
Specialist personnel from the European engine manufacturer (Turbomeca and Rolls
Royce have been brought to Australia to assist with the ongoing investigation into a
technical incident with an Australian Defence Force (ADF) Multi Role Helicopter
(MRH90) last month.
The helicopter suffered an engine failure in one of its two main engines on 20 April
2010, about 30 minutes north east of Adelaide. The helicopter returned to RAAF base
Edinburgh without further incident or injuries to personnel.
The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is also assisting with the
forensic analysis of engine components with flying operations suspended while the
cause of the engine failure remains under investigation.
The full impact of the engine failure on the project schedule is yet to be determined.
Of the 46 MRH90 helicopters ordered for the Australian Army and Navy, 11 have
been accepted and are being used for training and testing.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: (02) 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
