Super Puma H225 faces immediate grounding after investigation finds “catastrophic failure”

Investigators probing fatal helicopter crash have issued urgent request to the European Aviation Safety Agency to deem whether Super Puma H225 should be immediately grounded. The Accident Investigation Board Norway’s request comes after its preliminary report published yesterday detailed fatigue in the gearbox and a “catastrophic failure”, rendering early safety warnings “not effective”.The move could see the entire global fleet of the H225s sidelined, according to Step Change in Safety executive director Les Linklater. The findings were published just hours after four helicopter safety bosses –including Mr Linklater – backed the H225s and when asked, said they would be confident enough to put their own children in the aircraft. Last night, the group backtracked and said they would have to wait for the EASA’s rulings before being able to answer the question."aircraft’s offshore services currently grounded in UK after 13 people were killed off the coast of Norway pressandjournal.co.uk

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