|
The Indian Air Force has both infrastructure and expertise for granting calendar life extension on both TBO (Time Between Overhaul) and TTL (Total Technical Life) of MI-series helicopters. This is undertaken in consultation with various technical agencies by carrying out detailed checks on each of the processes.
A helicopter of IAF collapsed within the period of extended life but the collapse was not due to the extended calendar life but due to failure of a part of the aircraft. An inquiry has been conducted in the matter.
The Court of Inquiry attributed the collapse to faults in one of the parts of the aircraft which was replaced by the Original Equipment Manufacturer in other helicopters.
As recommended by the Court of inquiry, checks were carried out on the other three MI-26 helicopters and similar defects in struts were found. The struts on these helicopters were replaced by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Shri Prabhunath Singh in Lok Sabha today.
|
