A gearbox vent apparatus includes: a gearbox; an accessory contained in a case mounted to the gearbox such than an interior space of the case communicates with an interior space of the gearbox, wherein the case includes a sidewall and an endwall, a hollow drive shaft mounted for rotation inside the case; an annular first seal element mounted to the drive shaft; an annular second seal element mounted to the case and contacting the first seal element so as to define a sealing interface; and a vent tube having a forward end coupled to the endwall in fluid communication with the drive shaft.