Norwegian and UK regulators have banned commercial flights with Airbus Helicopters H225 rotorcraft, following the 29 April fatal accident near Bergen, Norway.
In a statement, the Luftfartstilsynet says the directive prohibits "any commercial passengers flights by Norwegian operators flying the Airbus [H225] helicopter" until further notice. Search and rescue operations are not covered by the restriction, however.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority says its instruction mirrors that of its Norwegian counterpart.
The CHC Helikopter Service-operated helicopter (LN-OJF) came down west of Bergen following a flight from the Gullfaks B oil platform. The 11 passengers and two crew aboard were killed, says the Luftfartstilsynet.
Television footage appears to indicate that the main rotor separated from the helicopter in mid-flight.
Flightglobal's Fleets Analyzer database lists the H225 as a 2009-built example owned by French firm Parislease.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
