Google – AFP, 12 December 2013
Emergency
services workers look on as the wreckage of a helicopter is winched
from the
collapsed roof of a pub in Glasgow on December 2, 2013 (AFP/File,
Andy
Buchanan)
|
London —
The British operator of a Eurocopter EC135 helicopter involved in a fatal crash
in Glasgow said Thursday it had grounded its 22-strong fleet of the model after
discovering a defect.
The
"precautionary measure" by Bond Air Services puts one-third of
Britain's police and ambulance helicopters out of action, according to the BBC.
But
Eurocopter, which is owned by European aerospace giant EADS, said the decision
to ground the helicopters was standard procedure, and stressed that no action
was needed by other operators around the world.
The news
came as authorities in Scotland said another person had died from injuries
sustained in last month's crash of a Bond-operated police helicopter, bringing
the death toll to 10.
"During
normal operations yesterday, one of our EC135 fleet has experienced an
indication defect that requires further technical investigation," Bond
said in a statement.
"Therefore
as a precautionary measure, we have temporarily suspended service operations
whilst we undertake detailed diagnosis."
After
overnight checks on the faulty air ambulance helicopter, the company carried
out tests on each of the grounded aircraft.
In a
statement, Eurocopter said: "The ongoing investigation follows a standard
procedure initiated in case of a reported incident. Eurocopter is in close
contact with Bond to fully support the activities.
"Eurocopter
does not recommend any further action for the other EC135 aircraft in service
around the world."
There was
no indication of a link with the November 29 crash in Glasgow, when an EC135
apparently dropped out of the sky onto the roof of a crowded pub.
The cause
remains a mystery, after investigators found no evidence of engine or gearbox
failure and reported that all significant components were present when it
crashed.
The 10th
victim, 59-year-old Joe Cusker, died on Thursday in hospital in Glasgow, police
said.
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