Australian Department of Defense, During a recent routine maintenance test flight, a Sea King helicopter suffered a fault in its tail rotor assembly shortly after take-off. The aircraft conducted a controlled landing without further incident.
As a precautionary measure, and as part of the normal air worthiness process, on 2 October 2007 the Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Nigel Coates, temporarily suspended flying operations of all six Sea King helicopters in the Fleet to allow the matter to be fully investigated.
“Navy has initiated a full investigation to determine the cause. This precautionary suspension of flying underscores Navy‘s ongoing commitment to the safety of our people. I will lift the suspension only when I am satisfied that it is appropriate to resume flying,” Rear Admiral Coates said today.
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