Police/air ambulance helicopters grounded

[sjwk]

Just saw this news story. Hadn't seen anything about the incident they refer to though.

A number of police and air ambulance helicopters have been grounded while maintenance checks are carried out.
It follows an incident involving the London Air Ambulance at Denham Airfield, in Oxfordshire.
A rotor tail fault, which can cause a sudden drop in height, is understood to be the cause of the scare.
Police forces in Dorset, Greater Manchester, Humberside, Sussex and Wiltshire have grounded helicopters until checks are completed.
Similar earlier faults with the rotor tail have affected other McDonnell Douglas (MD) 902 series helicopters involving the police in Germany, France and the United States.
The Gloucestershire-based Police and Medical Air Services, which leases the 902s, said the fault could affect up to 30 craft throughout the UK.
McDonnell Douglas has ordered the groundings until maintenance checks are carried out over the coming days.

Source

Steve.

[Cargo Runner]

Local paper in Brighton reports on Shoreham airport where the Sussex Police house their MD with the following newscut today -

Sussex's police helicopter has had to be grounded over safety fears.

The helicopter’s manufacturers have contacted the unit, which is based at Shoreham Airport, and advised it to ground the aircraft because of a possible mechanical fault.

The grounding of H900, a Mcdonnell Douglas 902 helicopter, follows an incident involving the London Air Ambulance at Denham Airfield, in Buckinghamshire.

An internal fan system fault, which can cause a drop in height, is understood to be the cause of the scare.

A number of police and air ambulance helicopters across the country have been grounded while checks are carried out.

A statement released by Sussex Police said: "As a consequence, H900 has not been able to fly today and is currently being inspected as a precautionary measure, along with all other helicopters of this type.

"It is hoped that H900 will be fully operational again within 24 hours. Essential cover is being provided by Surrey and Hampshire police."

The 902 series of helicopter does not have a tail rotor like others and instead uses a fan exhaust system to rotate.

It is believed that similar faults with the system have affected other 902 helicopters involving the police in Germany, France and the USA.