Midlands Air Ambulance grounded
The Midlands Air Ambulance based at Cosford was today grounded as a precaution after a fault was discovered on a similar aircraft.
The aircraft based at RAF Cosford and two others based at Tatenhill and Strensham were grounded by Bond Air Services.
The aircraft provider suspended flights of its Eurocopter EC 135 helicopter which affects 22 air ambulances and police helicopters across the country.
A fault was discovered on a North West Air Ambulance during a routine check yesterday.
The model is the same as that which recently crashed in Glasgow. The aircraft crashed on to the roof of The Clutha bar on 29 November, killing ten people.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Clearly safety is our number one priority and will be guided by the operator of the aircraft.
“The crews that would have been flying today have been responding on land vehicles as they would if the weather had stopped the helicopters flying.”
Update:
Following an inspection by Bond engineers, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Tatenhill airbase in Staffordshire will resume normal service on Friday morning.
Inspections on the two further Midlands Air Ambulances based at Cosford and Strensham are continuing with a view to them returning to normal operation.
