NSW burning again.

[Savoia]

A CRUCIAL water bombing helicopter was grounded during the NSW bushfire crisis because authorities claimed it needed an American crew to operate it.

The state-of-the-art Erickson skycrane was sitting at Bankstown Airport with The Sunday Telegraph told it required special engineers and staff to get it off the ground.

But last night, in an unusual twist, the chopper was authorised to fly to Springwood, despite the absence of the US crew.

Critical US water bomber grounded during NSW bushfire crisis | News.com.au