Local air ambulance safety checks carried out following aircraft warning

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The warning, ordering pre flight checks, was issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (Easa) after a crack was discovered on the main rotor hub of a Eurocopter EC135 aircraft in Scotland - one of some 1,000 Eurocopter helicopters in use worldwide.
A spokeswoman for the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance, Michelle Hewitt, said no other faults had been discovered, after the manufacturer, Eurocopter, ordered a worldwide check on the fleet, including the one used by the charity.
“No, there’s certainly no problem for us at all,” said Ms Hewitt.
“We have had all the checks regarding health and safety but we are absolutely 100 per cent confident there’s no risk.”
A spokeswoman for the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, Sherie Williams Ellen, said an aircraft was leased by the charity from Bond Air Services.
“Safety is paramount and checks were carried out by Bond, in line with the manufacturer requirements. We are fully confident of the safety of the helicopter,” said Ms Williams Ellen.
If not detected, the fault could lead to main rotar hub failure and loss of the helicopter, according to Easa.