NSW: Australian Army ground its Chinook CH 47 helicopters

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-1999
NSW: Australian Army ground its Chinook CH 47 helicopters

The Australian army has grounded its CH-47 Chinook helicopters, following the discovery of
cracks in transmission gears in several of the aircraft overseas.

The army's four Chinook transport helicopters have been suspended from flying pending the
results of an official inspection of the fleet.

The Australian defence department says the grounding of the helicopters, which can carry up
to 33 people, follows the United States' grounding its fleet of 466 on Friday.

The US army says the cracks were discovered during a routine inspection of a second gear of
one chopper being used by the British Air Force.

Manufacturer Boeing has inspected more helicopters and found other cracks in different
transmission gears.

AAP/AFP RTV jo/sb/rp/jn

KEYWORD: US CHINOOK AUST (SYDNEY)

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