Thames Valley and Chiltern air ambulance remains grounded for tests

The EC135 helicopter, which is is manufactured by Eurocopter, is the same model which recently crashed in Glasgow, killing 10 people.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance resumed flights at 3pm yesterday (Thursday), after being grounded yesterday morning.
The HIOW air ambulance is currently being deployed to emergencies usually covered by the Thames Valley and Chiltern air ambulance across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, while the air ambulance remained grounded.
A total fleet of 17 air ambulances across the country was temporarily suspended from service for tests by the air ambulance operators, Bond Air Services, after one of these aircraft developed an indication defect.
“Bond services have assured us that they will continue to work with the manufacturer, Eurocopter, to restore normal service operations as soon as it is safe to do so,” said Rachel Hunter, a spokeswoman for the trust.
Spokeswoman for the HIOW service, Sherie Williams Ellen, confirmed that the one air ambulance operated by the service resumed flying at 3pm yesterday (Thurs), following tests.
The Hampshire aircraft, she said, had not developed any fault, but had been among those grounded by the operators, while tests were carried out.
“The operators are conducting an investigation onto another one – not ours,” said Ms Williams Ellen, adding they had full confidence in the operators.
The same model of helicopter is used by police services across the country, confirmed Matthew Woodward, a spokesman for the National Police Air Service, based in West Yorkshire, who operate the countrywide service.
Out of a total, national fleet of 22 police helicopters, 15 of these were the EC135 Eurocopter that are deployed nationwide, according to need.
“We were advised by the Civil Aviation Authority and they issued no recommendation to ground them,” said Mr Woodward.
In a statement issued yesterday, NPAS chief operating officer, Chief Supt Ian Whitehouse, said:“Safety is our number one priority for the service. Our decision on whether or not to suspend operations or ground any NPAS aircraft is based on advice issued by the Civil Aviation Authority - the UK’s aviation regulator and original equipment manufacturers.”
Following the grounding of the 17 aircraft, the offshore union, RMT has demanded a full public inquiry into helicopter safety, both inshore and offshore, to establish whether there is any connection with the recent spate of ditching’s and fatalities in the North Sea and on land.