Urgent safety inspections for tail rotors on models of helicopter
AVIATION SAFETY EXPERTS ORDER TAIL ROTORS TO BE INSPECTED
AVIATION safety experts have ordered urgent safety inspections on the tail rotors of the model of helicopter which crashed at the King Power Stadium, killing all five people on board.
An emergency directive has been issued directing operators to carry out an urgent examination on the AW169 model – the same as that owned by Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha – as well as the AW189 aircraft.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued the directive yesterday after Leonardo Helicopters, the manufacturer of the AW169 which crashed on October 27, killing Khun Vichai and four other people on board, issued an emergency alert service bulletin for the aircraft.
Operators have to carry out the inspection, of the tail rotor and the tail rotor flight control system, within 24 hours or within five flight hours of being informed of the emergency airworthiness directive, whichever occurs first.
The directive, which covers the AW169 and the AW189, gives the reason for the inspection as the Leicester City helicopter crash.
The directive states: “The reason is an accident occurred on an AW169 helicopter, the root cause of which has not been identified and the technical investigation is still ongoing.
“While the helicopter was on a takeoff phase at low forward speed, a loss of yaw control has been observed.
“The incorrect installation of the tail rotor servo-actuator, if not detected and corrected... could possibly result in loss of control of the helicopter.”
A spokesman for Leonardo Helicopters said: “Leonardo is deeply saddened by the fatal accident involving an AW169 helicopter at Leicester City Football Club’s stadium on October 27.
“We wish to reiterate our sincerest condolences to the families and friends of those involved and the wider community this accident has affected.
“Leonardo continues to support the AAIB with their investigation to determine the cause of this accident, which is the first to involve an AW169 helicopter.
“Our common priority is to have a full understanding of what caused the accident.
“Leonardo Helicopters has now issued service bulletins to all AW169 and AW189 operators to perform a precautionary inspection of the condition and functionality of some components of the tail rotor control system, however, any hypothesis on the cause of the accident is premature at this time and the AAIB (Air Accident Investigation Branch) investigation continues.”
A senior detective told an inquest yesterday that there was very little chance of anybody getting in or out of the helicopter when it crashed at the stadium after the West Ham game.
Detective Chief Superintendent David Sandall told the inquest at Leicester Town Hall how CCTV and mobile phone footage showed the helicopter taking off from the stadium, then spiralling out of control before crashing onto the rear car park area.
He said: “There was an independent witness, supported by CCTV footage that shows the five victims in the tunnel area at the stadium shortly before the helicopter takes off.
“The footage shows the helicopter taking off, rising above the stadium and then spinning out of control.”