Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean has revealed that corroded valves were the cause behind the
Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)
Apache AH-64 helicopter’s emergency landing last month.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Mr Teo said investigations showed that the defective component known as the Anti-Ice Start Bleed Valve (AISBV), which is found in both engines of the Apache, had corroded over time.
This caused both engines to shut down, which forced the pilot to make an emergency landing in an open field in Woodlands.
Mr Teo ruled out manufacturing defects and maintenance lapses, and added that current maintenance procedures do not call for the RSAF to open up the AISBV as it is a task that only the manufacturer can perform.
MINDEF is now working with the helicopter manufacturer to improve maintenance procedures to prevent similar occurrences in future, and ensure early detection and correction should it occur again.
The Defence Minister added that to ensure the helicopters are fitted only with functioning valves, the RSAF will replace all existing valves and each helicopter’s engine will be tested thoroughly before being cleared for flight.
Since the incident, the fleet of Apache AH-64 helicopters as well as the Sikorsky S-70B helicopter, which has a similar engine to the Apache have been grounded, with training suspended. Mr Teo said that the helicopters will progressively resume flying this week.