Aircraft Are Too Large To Land At Many Hospitals

Twenty-two Sikorsky S92 and AgustaWestland AW189 helicopters purchased by the U.K. government for emergency medical services are too big to land at many hospital helipads, according to media reports.

The Daily Star newspaper reports indicates that the U.K. CAA has determined that the aircraft are too big to touch down on elevated helipads. The Department for Transport said that "Where it is not possible to land on an elevated helipad, the crew will identify a suitable alternative landing site for quick transfer."

The SNAFU affects hospitals in Newcastle, Glasgow, Leeds, Bristol and Sheffield, according to the report. In response to an inquiry from the Newcastle hospital officials, the CAA said that the agency is " working closely with the search-and-rescue operator to achieve the required level of safety, which will enable Sikorsky S92 helicopters to land at ground-level hospital sites."

The government paid about $2.49 billion for the aircraft in a purchase agreement with Bristow Helicopters.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport