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Coastguard helicopters grounded | Coastguard helicopters grounded |
(20 minutes later) | |
All coastguard rescue helicopters in Scotland have been grounded because of safety fears. | |
Air safety officials have ordered replacement parts be fitted to Sikorsky S-92 aircraft following a crash off Newfoundland last week. | |
Seventeen people died when the aircraft came down in the Atlantic on 12 March. | |
The UK coastguard agency operates four S-92s based on Shetland and Lewis. The RAF and Royal Navy will continue to provide emergency cover. | |
A preliminary investigation into the crash in Canada suggested a gearbox mounting stud had failed. | |
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) spokesman said replacement parts should arrive on the islands "within a day or so" but the helicopters could be out of action for several days while they are fitted. | |
He said: "We have a responsibility to our crews. We have to ensure that the helicopters are safe. | |
"The MCA are now working closely with the Ministry of Defence to provide cover for the islands from Lossiemouth and Prestwick." | |
In the meantime, RAF and Royal Navy helicopters would provide emergency cover, he said. | In the meantime, RAF and Royal Navy helicopters would provide emergency cover, he said. |
Coastguard helicopters in England are of a different type and are unaffected. |