Agusta AW139 Safety Record — Medium Twin | AeroGurus
Editorial safety summary — see Agusta AW139 listings and consult a qualified A&P/inspector for individual aircraft decisions.
The Agusta (AgustaWestland) AW139 has a strong safety record for a medium twin-turbine — twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C engines with genuine engine-out capability, modern glass cockpit, and a design proven across offshore oil & gas, EMS/SAR, VIP and government roles worldwide. As a medium twin operated by professional crews under demanding mission profiles (offshore, night SAR), the AW139's accident record is dominated by mission/operational factors. Twin-engine redundancy and modern systems make it a benchmark medium helicopter; offshore-corrosion and component-overhaul currency are the dominant pre-buy variables.
Common safety topics
- Twin PT6C redundancy — genuine engine-out margin for offshore/overwater/SAR.
- Component overhauls — main rotor head, gearboxes, blades — significant medium-twin scheduled cost.
- Offshore corrosion — ex-offshore aircraft need thorough salt-air corrosion inspection.
- Mission profile — offshore/EMS/SAR/VIP — very different wear and risk; verify history.
- Modern avionics — Honeywell Primus Epic glass; verify revision.
Pre-buy safety checklist
- Both PT6C engines — hot section/overhaul + program.
- Dynamic-component hours (rotor/gearboxes/blades).
- Corrosion inspection (critical on ex-offshore aircraft).
- Avionics revision; mission-config verification.
- ADs/SBs; authorised-centre pre-buy.
Safety FAQ
- Is the AW139 safe?
- Strong record — twin redundancy, modern systems, professional operation. One
- Offshore aircraft considerations?
- Salt-air corrosion is the key pre-buy item on ex-offshore AW139s.
- Operating cost / overhauls?
- Medium-twin economics — scheduled component overhauls are significant;