This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-17656644

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Checks carried out on Scottish air ambulance fleet Checks carried out on Scottish air ambulances after rotor crack
(40 minutes later)
Daily inspections are being carried out on Scotland's helicopter air ambulance fleet following concerns about their safety.Daily inspections are being carried out on Scotland's helicopter air ambulance fleet following concerns about their safety.
The aircraft manufacturer, Eurocopter, has been ordered to establish the cause of a crack found on the main rotor of one of the EC135 models. The aircraft manufacturer, Eurocopter, has been ordered to establish the cause of a crack found on the main rotor of a Scottish air ambulance.
About 1,000 helicopters worldwide are being inspected for the problem. About 1,000 EC135 models worldwide are being inspected for the problem.
The Scottish Air Ambulance Service has two EC135's based at Inverness and Glasgow. The Scottish Air Ambulance Service has two of the helicopters based at Inverness and Glasgow.
The European Aviation Safety Agency has ordered the safety inspections of the aircraft each day while the fault is being investigated. The European Aviation Safety Agency has ordered the safety inspections each day while the fault is being investigated.
The Scottish Air Ambulance Service said the helicopters were "safe and serviceabe". A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service: "We were notified at once of this issue by the aircraft's operator, Bond Air Services.
Bond Air Services which operates the helicopters said it was doing everything to comply with the new safety orders, and that its helicopters met the highest safety standards. "The part was replaced immediately and Bond are carrying out detailed daily inspections of the aircraft in line with the EASA directive.
"The safety of both patients and air crew is absolutely paramount and we would not allow them to fly if there was the least doubt about airworthiness."
He added: "Bond is working closely with Eurocopter on this issue and is assured that the aircraft remain safe and serviceable."
Bond Air Services said it was doing everything to comply with the new safety orders, and that its helicopters met the highest safety standards.