CAA and police raid Heli Holland

[DutchWrench]

Long time reader of this forum of all ins and outs in the heli business

But didn't see this news pop up:

Last Tuesday Dutch CAA and police did a raid against Heli Holland. They raided 2 locations, one in Den Helder and the other one the Main Office in Emmercompascuum. They confiscated logs/technical administration of one helicopter, a EC155. The helicopter was confiscated too in the hangar in Den Helder, the hangar in Den Helder is sealed, no one is allowed inside. The helicopter is guarded with camera's to make sure that no one is getting near. Rumour has it that the CAA has clues of falsification of log of one of the engines on the helicopter. A Dutch CAA raid of this magnitude has not happed before.

As a new time member not allowed to post links but google and the phrases: inval heli holland are you friend in finding more info.

[ApolloHeli]

News link (in Dutch) for info: https://www.upinthesky.nl/2023/07/06...j-heliholland/

[chopper2004]

Originally Posted by ApolloHeli

News link (in Dutch) for info: https://www.upinthesky.nl/2023/07/06...j-heliholland/

here is the google translate version

On Tuesday morning, the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate, together with the police, carried out raids at helicopter operator Heli Holland, the Financieel Dagblad reported. The police sent the personnel present home. Multiple hangars were sealed by the detectives. A large amount of administration has been seized.

The largest helicopter operator in the Netherlands has branches in Emmen and Den Helder, among others. In addition, the Amsterdam Heliport (EHHA) is operated by Heli Holland. Although all of the company's flight operations were shut down, two of the company's helicopters flew in the afternoon. It involved two flights by Eurocopter EC120 and EC155 aircraft. Inquiries show that all operations can continue as usual after the raid.


Due to the investigation, the Inspectorate was unable to comment on the background of the raids on Tuesday. The owner of Heli Holland, René van der Haring, told the Financieel Dagblad that he had "no idea" about the reason for the raids. Van der Haring suspects that they are related to the legal actions he is taking against Bristow, the operator of the Dutch Coast Guard helicopters.

However, an anonymous source told Up in the Sky that this is not the background to the raids. The investigation would focus on forgery in the papers of one of the helicopters. This aircraft would no longer be airworthy. "One of the offshore aircraft, the PH-EQU (the registration of the aircraft, ed.) flies with an engine that has already run too many hours and should have been replaced." are forged for that reason. Heli Holland, however, dismisses these rumours; the engine would have been replaced a few months ago.

In addition to offshore flights, the helicopter in question is regularly used for VIP flights. For example, the helicopter was used in the past to transport members of the Royal Family. The aircraft was also used to transport various VIPs during the latest edition of the Grand Prix in Zandvoort. The aircraft is currently stored under camera surveillance by the police in a sealed hangar at Den Helder airport.

cheers

[atakacs]

Strange story. Seems rather heavy handed, I whatever the underlying issue.

[PPRuNeUser129638]

That depends. Ensuring that records are available for audit by giving no notice and insisting on immediate and secure access may be essential in securing evidence if criminal falsification is expected.

People do illegal things like falsify logs, wipe data recorders, fudge FTLs, pass medicals they shouldn’t etc. Not saying the authorities had cause in Heli Holland‘s case; but apparently they thought they did.

[nomorehelosforme]

Heard from a reliable source they had been in financial difficulties for a number of years.

[212man]

Originally Posted by nomorehelosforme

Heard from a reliable source they had been in financial difficulties for a number of years.

You may want to test their reliability.

[DutchWrench]

Heard from a source that in their technical department a whole lot of experienced people left the last few years........ And that HH is struggling to get licensed engineers and floating on apprentices, retired engineers that sign off and the odd foreign eng's, and freelancers. Must not do good in continuation of proper maintenance....

[Markhux]

I am talking to this company now over such an issue….very interesting.

[DutchWrench]

The helicopter confiscated helicopter is released again, but the investigation is still ongoing.

Translation of the article in Noord Hollands Dagblad

DEN HELDER
The Heli Holland helicopter seized in Den Helder may be returned to its owner. The Public Prosecution Service has insufficient evidence to conduct further investigation.
At the beginning of July, the police raided the Heli Holland branch in Den Helder and the head office in Emmer-Compascuum. In addition, administration and one of the company's helicopters were seized due to a suspicion of forgery and the failure to maintain the fleet in an airworthy manner.

After an initial investigation by experts, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) sees "no concrete leads" for further investigation into the helicopter. This air vehicle, which has been used several times in the past to transport the king, will be returned to Heli Holland on Tuesday. The criminal investigation into alleged abuses at the airline is continuing.

Administration
The physical and digital administration of the aviation company is being further investigated. This is expected to be completed shortly. The Public Prosecution Service then decides whether to prosecute the company.

According to the Public Prosecution Service, the return of the helicopter does not mean that doubts about the airworthiness of the machine have been dispelled. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) will check the helicopter in question on location before it can be used again