2018-04-26
C-GKHL, a Kamov KA-32A11BC aircraft operated by VIH Helicopters, was conducting a maintenance test flight from Victoria Intl, BC (CYYJ) with 1 pilot and 3 aircraft maintenance engineers on board. During liftoff, the helicopter yawed to the right despite the full application of the left pedal. After approximately four rotations, the pilot aligned the helicopter into the wind and landed firmly on the runway.
The helicopter was taxied back to the hangar without further incident. Subsequent maintenance inspection revealed that, during the previous scheduled 600 hours drag hinge replacement which required the removal of the upper rotor head, the pitch links for the upper rotor head were not returned to the correct dimension upon reassembly.