Midlands Air Ambulance helicopters undergo safety checks
Safety checks are to be carried out on helicopters used by the Midlands Air Ambulance and other air ambulance services across the country after a fault was found which could cause them to crash.
A safety warning was issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (Easa) after a crack was discovered on the main rotor hub of one Eurocopter EC135 helicopter.
The condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to further crack propagation, possibly resulting in main rotor hub failure and consequent loss of the helicopter, Easa warned in a directive issued on March 15.
The agency has ordered pre-flight checks until an investigation into the problem concludes.
About 1,000 of the craft are in use around the world, including air ambulance services in England, Scotland and Wales.
Three of the helicopters are used by Midlands Air Ambulances.
