Fed: Hill says helicopter fleet not grounded

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-2005
Fed: Hill says helicopter fleet not grounded

By Max Blenkin, Defence Correspondent

CANBERRA, Aug 23 AAP - Defence Minister Robert Hill has rejected claims the Navy has
grounded its entire helicopter fleet.

He said there had been only a "pause" in operations to look at maintenance matters.

The pause is understood to relate to a maintenance issue detected on one type of helicopter
operated by the Navy.

A defence source said the problem was not with the Sea Kings, now the focus of an ongoing
investigation into the crash on Nias Island, Indonesia, in April which killed nine Australian
Defence Force personnel.

The Navy also operates Seahawk and Seasprite helicopters and uses Squirrels for training.

"There is a pause in operations whilst various maintenance issues are looked at," Senator
Hill told reporters in Perth.

"These things happen from time to time but the helicopter fleet has not been grounded
as I've been advised at this point."

A defence spokesman earlier said the maritime commander Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas had
directed that an aviation maintenance practice review be conducted.

"There is no blanket cessation of flying. However there may be some adjustments to
operational flying programs. The review should be completed this week," the spokesman
said.

The defence investigation into the Nias Island crash has yet to be completed.

But preliminary conclusions point to a failure in the flight control system.

AAP mb/sw/it/sd

KEYWORD: HELICOPTERS NIGHTLEAD

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