A Bristow Helicopters Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma suffered the failure of a main rotorhead spindle yoke on 13 October as the aircraft was hovering for take-off from Aberdeen, UK bound for an offshore oil rig.
"The aircrew felt abnormal vibration and elected to make a precautionary landing," says Bristow. There were 13 passengers and two crew on board. Bristow immediately informed Eurocopter, which issued a notice to Super Puma operators urging that inspections be carried out. UK air accident investigators are probing the incident.
Bristow says no further problems have been found in its 33-strong Super Puma fleet, and the aircraft remain in operation.
Source: Flight International
