Emergency service helicopters grounded for safety checks

Police in Scotland said that 59-year-old Joe Cusker from Cambuslang, who was injured in the incident at the Clutha bar on the 30 November, had died at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. His death brings the number of fatalities to ten.

As police made that announcement, emergency and NHS helicopter services around the country were having to adjust to the news that 22 EC135 helicopters had been grounded by operators Bond Air Services as a precautionary measure after a warning light came on in a EC125 being operated by North West Air Ambulances.

Bond said in a statement: “During normal operations yesterday, one of our EC135 fleet has experienced an indication defect that requires further technical investigation.

“Therefore as a precautionary measure we have temporarily suspended service operations whilst we undertake detailed diagnosis. We commenced investigations overnight, are continuing this morning and are in close liaison with Eurocopter regarding this investigation.”

The Association of Air Ambulances (AAA) said that 16 of its 36 UK helicopters were grounded to undergo safety checks. By mid-afternoon helicopters serving both East Anglia and Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were back in operation.

Contingency measures

AAA Director Clive Dickin said: “Aircraft of all types occasionally are grounded for bad weather or routine maintenance. In these circumstances, other air ambulances and ambulance service providers work closely to ensure no patients are affected.

“Obviously, when an extremely rare incident like this happens, stresses can be placed on the services and however these contingencies are planned for.”

Bond’s decision to ground its fleet was voluntary, with the Civil Aviation Authority confirming that it had not required the action. Early investigations into the crash at the Clutha bar had found “no evidence of major mechanical disruption of either engine” of the helicopter.

The Scottish Ambulance Service said that any patient needing a transfer by air would be taken in either a coastguard or military helicopter, Scotland’s charity air ambulance or SAS fixed-wing aircraft.

West Midlands Air Ambulance service said it would have access to the two air ambulances operated by neighbouring regions as a contingency measure until the situation was resolved.

Public inquiry

Union leaders have re-iterated their calls for a public inquiry into helicopter safety. Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT union, said:

“All of those workers using the helicopters, whether they be offshore, police, ambulance, coastguard or any other industry, have a right to know that their place of work is safe and that means establishing the full facts as an absolute matter of urgency.

“That means a full public inquiry into helicopter safety.”

The manufacturer of the EC135, Eurocopter, said the decision by Bond need not affect other EC135s in service around the world:

“Eurocopter was informed by Bond that they decided to temporarily suspend flights with their EC135 fleet yesterday late evening. Based on an observation made on an aircraft engaged in medical services the decision was taken on their behalf for precautionary reasons.

“The ongoing investigation follows a standard procedure initiated in case of a reported incident. Eurocopter is in close contact with Bond to fully support the activities.”

“Eurocopter does not recommend any further action for the other EC135 aircraft in service around the world.”