The US Federal Aviation Administration has grounded Eurocopter BK117s until the tailbooms can be inspected for fatigue cracks. The move follows the crash of Colgate-Palmolive's corporate aircraft on take-off in New York on 15 April, killing one passenger. Since then cracks have been found in three more helicopters.
Source: Flight International
Airbus Helicopters and partner PHI Aviation will shortly begin route-proving trials with the former’s H160 medium-twin in the Gulf of Mexico.
Piasecki Aircraft has secured new work for its ‘Heliplex’ facility in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, signing a collaboration agreement with Columbia Helicopters to upgrade Model 107 tandem-rotor helicopters to a new more fuel-efficient standard.
MD Helicopters has promoted Ryan Weeks to the role of president, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the rotorcraft manufacturer.
