Precautionary Suspension Of Ch-47d Chinook Flying, AFCS problems

[Brendan Cowan]

From the Defence media Centre today........

Precautionary suspension of CH-47D Chinook flying operations

Army has temporarily suspended flying operations for the CH-47D Chinook helicopter upon identifying possible issues relating to the operation of the aircraft’s Advanced Flight Control System (AFCS) in certain flight conditions.

Director General Aviation, Brigadier Neil Turton said the suspension was to ensure safety and is consistent with Army Operational Airworthiness procedures.

“The precautionary suspension will remain in place pending technical analysis of flight data by Defence and Boeing,” Brigadier Turton said.

The precautionary suspension includes the two CH-47D Chinook aircraft deployed to Afghanistan in support of ISAF operations. The two aircraft are based at Kandahar Air Field and perform combat and logistic support missions, and quick response tasks.

ISAF is currently well supported by both military and contracted rotary wing assets. Centralisation of aviation assets into the US Combat Aviation Brigades allows greater redundancy, synchronisation of maintenance and improved mission planning. Australia’s Rotary Wing Group is part of the US 101st Combat Aviation Brigade.

“The grounding of the aircraft is not expected to have an impact on the conduct of operations.

Military operations staff will offset the loss of capability and re-adjust schedules and support arrangements to ensure that rotary wing assets are prioritised in accordance with mission requirements,” Brigadier Turton said.

The Australian Army operates five CH-47D Chinook aircraft. Of the five aircraft, two aircraft are deployed to Afghanistan, one is deployed to Papua New Guinea; one is on Horn Island; and the remaining aircraft is in Townsville where the Chinook fleet is based.


Media contact:
Defence Media Operations 02 6127 1999



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[Brendan Cowan]

And now they are back on line:

CH-47D Chinook helicopters resume flying operations‏
9/10/2011
From: Defence Media Centre (mediacentre@media.defence.gov.au)
Sent: Sunday, 9 October 2011 7:32:38 PM
To: brendan.cowan@adf-serials.com.au


CH-47D Chinook Helicopters resume flying operations


Army has lifted the precautionary suspension of flying operations for the CH-47D Chinook helicopter.

The suspension was put in place on 30 September following the identification of possible issues relating to the operation of the aircraft’s Advanced Flight Control System (AFCS) in certain flight conditions.

Chief of Army Lieutenant General David Morrison, as the Army Operational Airworthiness Authority (OAA), has lifted the precautionary suspension following airworthiness advice from the Technical Airworthiness Authority (TAA).

Director General Aviation Brigadier Neil Turton said the OAA has authorised flying operations to resume following a thorough investigation and consultation with experts from the US Army and Boeing.

“Through thorough investigation and consultation with Boeing and the US Army – the largest operator of the CH-47D Chinook – we established there are no issues with the aircraft AFCS,” Brigadier Turton said.‪

“The CH-47D suspension that was put in place has now been lifted and all flying operations have now resumed.

“The precautionary suspension was imposed to ensure safety and is consistent with Army Operation Airworthiness procedures.”

The Australian Army operates five CH-47D Chinook aircraft. Of the five aircraft, two are deployed to Afghanistan, one is deployed to Papua New Guinea, one is on Horn Island and the remaining aircraft is in Townsville where the Chinook fleet is based.


Media contact:

Defence Media Operations 02 6127 1999

[rockdropper]

An AFCS failure rarely causes an accident. It's how the PF handles the failure that determines the outcome...