§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the reports on the US Army's experience of Chinook incidents and accidents which his Department has evaluated in the last 12 months. [90417]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonOver the last 12 months, the US Army have issued the following Safety of Flight Messages (SoFM) and Aviation Safety Action Messages (ASAM) as a result of incidents and accidents to their CH47 fleet. Each message has been evaluated for applicability to the RAF HC Mk 2/2A Chinooks and where appropriate the action taken is described as follows
ASAM—CH-47–98-ASAM-05 dated 17 September 1998— de-restricting the CH 47 fleet from roll on landings. Same details repeated within CH-47-ASAM-99–05 dated 22 April 1999.MOD Action taken—issue of Servicing Technical Instruction (STI) STUCHINOOK/318A dated 3 March 1999.SoFM—CH-47–99–01 dated 30 January 1999—Main rotor synchronisation shaft bearing support bracket—check for adequate clearance.MOD Action taken—issue of Preliminary Warning Instruction (PWI) PWUCHINOOK/293 dated 27 May 1999.ASAM—CH-47–99-ASAM-01 dated 9 February 1999— Mandatory maintenance requiring a one time inspection of Lag Dampers.MOD Action taken—issue of PWI/CHINOOK/288A dated 4 June 1999.ASAM—CH-47–99-ASAM-02 dated 16 February 1999—Mandatory maintenance requiring modifications to Boost Actuators.MOD Action Taken—None required, no applicability, RAF only use post modified Boost Actuators.ASAM—CH-47–99-ASAM-03 dated 23 February 1999—One time and recurring inspection of hoist/cargo hood control panel and water intrusion in cockpit.MOD Action Taken—Awaiting advice from Boeing on applicability to RAF Chinook.230WASAM—CH-47–99-ASAM-04 dated 16 March 1999—CH47D and 47E Fwd and Aft Longitudinal Cyclic Trim Yoke Bushing—Inspection and aircraft manual changes.MOD Action Taken—None required—MOD already has adequate inspection procedures in place within the HC Mk2/2A aircraft maintenance manuals.My Department has also evaluated an extract from the United States Army investigation report of a non-fatal Chinook incident in which the aircraft suffered an uncommanded 360 degree barrel roll. This incident result in ASAM CH-47–99–02 detailed above where no remedial action was required as the Chinook Mk2s in service with the RAF have an improved standard of actuators fitted which overcome the suspected cause of the US army incident.