US Army grounds helos after fatal crashes

IHS Jane's — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 11:25:24 -0500

The US Army on 3 December grounded helicopters at 11 installations following a string of fatal training accidents in recent weeks, US Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) announced.

"The decision to ground our aircraft today is taken with the utmost seriousness and my responsibility as the commander of US Army Forces Command," General Robert B Abrams said in a statement. The move "will permit army aviation leaders specific time to review army aviation training procedures and helicopter safety precautions to manage risk, and to avoid accidental loss of aviation personnel and equipment".

The loss of a Boeing AH-64D Apache attack helicopter out of Fort Hood, Texas, on 2 December was the army's third fatal crash in 10 days. On 23 November another US Army Apache crashed in South Korea, while a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk went down at Fort Hood. The aircraft were all on training missions.

In addition to 10 army bases, the four-day grounding also includes Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, FORSCOM spokesman Paul Boyce told IHS Jane's . The grounding does not affect overseas army installations, he added.

US Army grounds helos after fatal crashes
Gen Abrams has directed army aviation leaders within FORSCOM to review flight-mission briefing processes, unit pre-accident plans, and aircraft maintenance procedures. Further, unit-level investigations of the recent accidents are under way, according to FORSCOM.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2015 11:47 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 11:47:27 -0500

It is a "poven" piece of equipment ... something "wong" "hee". lol