Danish Lynx helicopters return to flight operations

September 14, 2011 Tony Osborne, SHEPARD GROUP

London - Danish Lynx helicopters have restarted flying operations after an accident in Greenland grounded the fleet.

An investigation is underway into the incident, which occurred on 22 August as the aircraft prepared to land on a Danish Navy ocean patrol vessel.

Once given a thorough inspection, the aircraft have been cleared to fly, allowing 24-hour emergency service operations in Greenland to be restored.

Chairman of the Defence Air Accident Investigation Commission, Colonel Karsten Schultz, said that work was ongoing to find the cause of the accident.

'We have found the cause of emergency landing, namely a broken drive shaft to the tail rotor. But why the damage occurred at the place and at that moment we do not know. Therefore, the helicopters are being thoroughly examined at short intervals,' he added.

Schultz said that the Danish forces are working closely with AgustaWestland to ensure the incident is not repeated so that flight operations can continue.

Denmark now has seven Navy Lynx helicopters which are operated by an Air Force unit, Esk 723 based at Karup AB. The aircraft were previously operated by the Danish Navy, but the government's Defence Settlement 2010-2014 decided that from 3 January all helicopters under the charge of the Danish Ministry of Defence would be handed to the air force.