London: The British operator of a Eurocopter EC135 helicopter involved in a fatal crash in Glasgow said Thursday it had grounded its 22-strong fleet after discovering a defect.
"During normal operations last day, one of our EC135 fleet has experienced an indication defect that requires further technical investigation," Bond Air Services said in a statement.
"Therefore as a precautionary measure, we have temporarily suspended service operations whilst we undertake detailed diagnosis."
The company said it was conducting tests on each of the helicopters, adding it was "in close liaison with Eurocopter regarding this investigation".
Bond helicopters are used by air ambulance and police forces throughout Britain, and it was a Bond EC135 that crashed onto the roof of a pub in the Scottish city of Glasgow on November 29, killing nine people.
Britain`s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said this week that the crash remained a mystery, with no evidence of engine or gearbox failure, and that "all significant components were present" when it smashed into the pub.
