Super Pumas to remain grounded

SUPER Puma helicopters will remain grounded until manufacturers have resolved gearbox problems uncovered during two ditchings in the North Sea.

The Civil Aviation Authority said restrictions on the EC225 model flying will not be lifted until Eurocopter finds a safe solution for gearbox cracks.

Cracks were discovered in the shafts of two aircraft that ditched in the North Sea in sepa- rate incidents last year. The crew of an EC225 was forced to land after a warning light came on in the aircraft 30 miles off the coast of Aberdeen in May.

The same model ditched in the sea near Shetland on October 22. The gearbox cracks were uncovered during inspections.

The CAA issued a safety directive banning overwater flights for Super Pumas with affected bevel gear vertical shafts.

Extensive tests have been carried out to find out the cause of the problem and the results are expected later this month.

ACAAspokesman said the air safety body was working with the European Aviation Safety Agency and UK operators.

He said: “Safety is the number one priority and the position will not change until Eurocopter can prove the safety of its operations over open water.”