Program Picks Up In-Flight Testing After 2016 Inflight Breakup

Bell Helicopter has confirmed that the Bell 525 Relentless program has resumed flight test activity after receiving an experimental certificate renewal from the FAA.

The test program was halted following a July 2016 fatal inflight breakup that resulted in the loss of the crew.

The NTSB's Prelim is the only official summary to date and reports only that, "On July 6, 2016, about 1148 central daylight time, an experimental Bell 525 helicopter, N525TA, broke up inflight and impacted terrain near Italy, Texas. The two pilots onboard were fatally injured and the helicopter was destroyed. The flight originated from Arlington, Texas, as a developmental flight test and was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident."

“Today we have resumed a key element of the Bell 525 program,” said Mitch Snyder, president and CEO. “Bell Helicopter has worked with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA since the accident and we are confident in the resumption of flight test activity.”

“The team is focused on certification in 2018 and we are committed to bringing this innovative and high-performing helicopter to market,” added Snyder.

The Bell 525 is expected to be certified as the world’s first fly-by-wire commercial helicopter.

FMI: www.bellhelicopter.com