Fatigue damage to a main rotor blade that lost a large section in flight appears to be the cause of the fatal 16 July Bristow Helicopters Sikorsky S-76 helicopter crash in the North Sea. The UK Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) says one of the blades was found fractured 1.9m (6ft) from its root, and the main gearbox and rotor head had broken away from the fuselage. The AAIB is looking at a 1999 lightning strike as a possible fatigue cause.
Source: Flight International
Portugal-headquartered emergency aerial services operator Avincis has begun exploring locations for a new training centre to support ambitious growth plans.
Korea Aerospace Industries has completed the construction of a new Rotary Wing Flight Center, where it will conduct research and development work for rotary-wing aircraft.
Long-term customer NHV Group is to begin offshore windfarm support operations with the Airbus Helicopters H175 – the first time super-medium-twin has been used for the role in the North Sea.
