A helicopter drip pan apparatus for covering and sealing a structural
opening in a helicopter. The drip pan apparatus includes a frame member
adapted to mount to the structural opening of the helicopter. The frame
member has an inwardly-facing peripheral surface extending around the
frame member. The frame member and thus the surface have at least one
linear portion. A drip pan is selectively affixed to the frame member. The
drip pan includes an outwardly-facing peripheral groove which extends
around the outside edge of the drip pan. Like the surface of the frame
member, the groove has at least one linear portion. The perimeter of the
drip pan conforms to the surface of the frame member. A seal member is
disposed in the groove of the drip pan to sealingly engaging the surface
of the frame member against fluid leakage therethrough.