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Glasgow crash helicopters grounded by Bond Air Services Glasgow crash helicopters grounded by Bond Air Services
(35 minutes later)
Bond Air Services has suspended flights of its EC 135 helicopter - the same model which crashed on to The Clutha bar in Glasgow, killing nine people.Bond Air Services has suspended flights of its EC 135 helicopter - the same model which crashed on to The Clutha bar in Glasgow, killing nine people.
The grounding comes after a fault was discovered on an EC 135 operated by Bond for the North West Air Ambulance.The grounding comes after a fault was discovered on an EC 135 operated by Bond for the North West Air Ambulance.
All Bond's 22 UK air ambulances and police helicopters are affected.All Bond's 22 UK air ambulances and police helicopters are affected.
The aircraft's manufacturer, Eurocopter, said it was not telling other operators of the EC 135 to ground their helicopters.The aircraft's manufacturer, Eurocopter, said it was not telling other operators of the EC 135 to ground their helicopters.
The helicopter operated by Police Scotland came down on the busy Clutha bar at 22:25 on 29 November. Its three crew and six people in the pub were killed. The police helicopter came down on the busy Clutha bar at 22:25 on 29 November. Its three crew and six people in the pub were killed.
An initial report from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said it had found "no evidence of major mechanical disruption of either engine" on the helicopter. An initial report from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said it had found "no evidence of major mechanical disruption of either engine".
However, on Thursday Bond Air Services said: "During normal operations yesterday, one of our EC 135 fleet has experienced an indication defect that requires further technical investigation.However, on Thursday Bond Air Services said: "During normal operations yesterday, one of our EC 135 fleet has experienced an indication defect that requires further technical investigation.
"Therefore as a precautionary measure we have temporarily suspended service operations whilst we undertake detailed diagnosis."Therefore as a precautionary measure we have temporarily suspended service operations whilst we undertake detailed diagnosis.
"We commenced investigations overnight, are continuing this morning and are in close liaison with Eurocopter regarding this investigation.""We commenced investigations overnight, are continuing this morning and are in close liaison with Eurocopter regarding this investigation."
Eurocopter said the decision taken by Bond did not apply to the rest of the Eurocopter fleet in the UK - a total of 57 aircraft.Eurocopter said the decision taken by Bond did not apply to the rest of the Eurocopter fleet in the UK - a total of 57 aircraft.
The manufacturer said it would be working with Bond Aviation and would issue a further statement later.The manufacturer said it would be working with Bond Aviation and would issue a further statement later.
A total of 30 police helicopters and 34 air ambulances operate across the UK.
A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service confirmed both of its helicopters had been grounded as "a precautionary measure".A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service confirmed both of its helicopters had been grounded as "a precautionary measure".
He said: "The safety of patients and air ambulance staff is the number one priority and Bond has taken the decision following a reported technical fault on one of the company's EC 135s operating outside Scotland.He said: "The safety of patients and air ambulance staff is the number one priority and Bond has taken the decision following a reported technical fault on one of the company's EC 135s operating outside Scotland.
"Until the matter is resolved, the Scottish Ambulance Service is operating normal contingency measures whereby any patient that requires transfer by air will be taken by coastguard and military helicopters, Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance helicopter or SAS fixed wing aircraft.""Until the matter is resolved, the Scottish Ambulance Service is operating normal contingency measures whereby any patient that requires transfer by air will be taken by coastguard and military helicopters, Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance helicopter or SAS fixed wing aircraft."
In May last year, Bond Air Services temporarily grounded EC 135 models operated by the Scottish Ambulance Service, Strathclyde Police and the Northern Lighthouse Board, following safety concerns. The East Anglian Air Ambulance service said its crews would be deployed by car while flights were suspended.
In May last year, Bond Air Services temporarily grounded EC 135 models operated by the Scottish Ambulance Service, Strathclyde Police and the Northern Lighthouse Board following safety concerns.
It took the decision following receipt of a Safety Information Notice from Eurocopter over reports identifying cracks on the lower hub shaft flange on the EC 135.It took the decision following receipt of a Safety Information Notice from Eurocopter over reports identifying cracks on the lower hub shaft flange on the EC 135.