Originally Posted by
helispotter
I recently came across the video of the accident discussed in this thread, so have looked over comments about it.
But turning to the Puma, there must have been a reason behind the cockpit doors no longer being able to be used? Earlier accidents or incidents? Did it apply to all Pumas? Or only those of a particular operator?
I think it was fairly clear that only the RAF ones....
What I should have said was that of the 1,000 plus Pumas and Super Pumas produced the 23 operated by the RAF have their doors permanently locked. Over the last fifty years the rest seem to be perfectly happy with their pilots getting in and out of the doors designed for the purpose.
Sadly, FED is no longer around to give a historical explanation about the decision (although others may be able to).