Extract from PA News report
Military Helicopter Flights Banned after Crash
Restrictions were today in place on the flying of military Merlin helicopters following a crash at a Royal Navy base.
Until investigators determine what caused the accident, Royal Navy and RAF Merlin helicopters will be restricted to life-saving and high priority combat operations.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said it was routine to place limitations on the flying of aircraft after a crash.
He added: “Until we find out what the cause of the accident was, we need to protect the people flying them.
“It will have no impact on current operations. But we are aware that by doing no training we get loss of skills for our people, so there is some impact on long term capability.”
None of the crew members’ injuries in last week’s crash were life-threatening, but one of the two pilots was airlifted to the Royal Cornwall hospital, where he is still recovering.
Initial investigations suggest that there was a problem with the helicopter’s tail rotor, the MoD spokesman said.
This is only the second time that a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter has crashed. The previous accident occurred in October 2002, off the Isle of Skye.
The Royal Navy has 42 Mark One Merlin helicopters and the RAF has 22 Mark Three Merlins.