Move Follows Report On Accident In April In Norway

Hours after aviation accident investigators in Norway released a preliminary report from an accident involving an Airbus Helicopters EC225, both Bristow Helicopters and CHC Helicopters grounded their entire fleets of the type.

The Norwegian report indicated that there is a potentially difficult-to-detect problem with the aircraft, and urged quick action on the part of European regulators. Thirteen people were fatally injured when the aircraft, operated by CHC Helicopters, went down after the main rotor separated from the aircraft.

The report indicated that a component in the main gearbox of the CHC helicopter that went down failed because of fatigue. Data collected from the aircraft indicate a flight that was entirely normal until the component failed and the rotor separated.

The Wall Street Journal reports that both CHC and Bristow have temporarily grounded their EC225 fleets pending updates from air-safety regulators. EASA reportedly issued a safety bulletin Wednesday calling for inspections of EC225 aircraft and potential fixes to main gearbox suspension bars, which was not the component that failed but which has come to light during inspections of EC225s following the accident.

Additional EASA safety recommendations are expected to be issued in connection with the accident.

(Image from file. Not accident aircraft)

FMI: www.esa.int