An Air Services Limited (ASL) Bell 206 helicopter with registration HR-GTR has been grounded by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) following two breaches – 1) that a mishap occurred and it was not logged and 2), that an inspection found the wrong rotor blades were being used.
“Pursuant to Section IV of the Civil Aviation Regulations, an inspection of the above Aircraft and/or logbooks was conducted and the following defects/deficiencies have been noted: The Technical logbook was inspected. Maintenance was being conducted after a defect in flight. The Technical logbook had no receipt of the defect, contrary to the GCARS Article 12(2B),” the GCAA document, seen by the Stabroek News states.
“2. The helicopter was flown with an unapproved modification of the main rotor blades, contrary to Article 9 of the GCARS, regulation 9… the aircraft is prohibited from further flight until the approval is given by the Director General of the GCAA,” it adds.
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edgill, who has oversight for the aviation sector told the Stabroek News that the aircraft was suspended and that the GCAA is investigating,
The Stabroek News contacted longtime ASL Director Annette Arjoon-Martins who informed that she was no longer with the company “since COVID began” and directed that questions be put to ASL Operations Manager Zahir Yusuf.
However, all calls to Yusuf’s number went to voicemail and up to press time there had been no response from the company.
Stabroek News understands that on the 29th of November, ASL was notified that the rotor blades installed on the aircraft were not the approved parts and that this should be rectified.
It was therefore a surprise to inspectors that maintenance work on the machine was being prepared on December 5th when it was using the same blades.
It is unclear if the defect encountered by the chopper was due to its use of the wrong rotor blades.
The GCAA has launched a detailed investigation.
