An Air Guard helicopter remained guarded at an abandoned quarry in Valencia last night after the pilot was forced to land the multi-million dollar aircraft last Friday after it experienced mechanical problems.
The AgustaWestland 139 was on a routine flight when a crew alert system warning light came on and the pilot was forced to land. Since then Air Guard officers have been on 24-hour security detail at the site.
Yesterday, members of the media accompanied engineers to the site where they conducted diagnostic tests on the helicopter.
The T&T Guardian was informed by Civil affairs officer of the Defence Force, Major Al Alexander, that a previous test was done and the report sent abroad to the aircraft manufacturers.
He said the aircraft was given clearance to fly again but Civil Aviation Division had to give the final approval and that should be done by this weekend.
The helicopter will then be flown back to Air Guard base in Piarco where a full and thorough check will be made to ensure that the mechanical problem, believed to be caused by a fuel cable malfunction, will not re-occur.
There were no reported injuries in the operation.
Last year, two of the four AW 139 helicopters bought under the Patrick Manning administration in 2009 were grounded because of structural cracks on their tailbooms.
Each helicopter cost US$13.7 million, Alexander said. The helicopters were purchased to work in tandem with the three offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), which was cancelled by the Kamla Persad-Bissessar-led People’s Partnership government.
The aircraft has been used in search and rescue operations since then and were earlier this year dispatched to assist Dominicans affected by tropical storm Erika. (JL)