Eurocopter's US arm has introduced a service to advise customers when an aircraft is considered destroyed. The move addresses safety concerns when parts from destroyed aircraft are returned to service as replacements in other helicopters.
American Eurocopter's fleet-notification system will advise customers and operators of the serial number of a destroyed helicopter, with a notice that none of its components or parts can be re-used without permission. "Some individuals have incorrectly used inappropriate inspection guidelines, such as hard-landing or sudden-stoppage inspections, as a basis for the return to service of parts that should never be used again in a helicopter," says Don Lambert, vice-president of customer support.
The initiative has been applauded by the US Helicopter Association International. "The proper control and disposition of destroyed aircraft, and components thereof, is an industry- wide problem," it says.
Source: Flight International
