More Damage To New Maryland State Medevac Helicopters

Another newly purchased AW-139 medevac helicopter has sustained damage, this time during routine maintenance. It marks the second time in less than a month that the state's recently purchased choppers have been sidelined.

State police say the chopper's top rotor was damaged when a technician used a rope in an effort to realign the bade. The chopper, known as 'Trooper Six,' flies out of the Easton barracks. 

Earlier this month another AW-139, known as Trooper 3, which is based in Frederick was stranded on the helipad of Maryland Shock Trauma. State Police said a bullet may have punctured the top rotor. 

Though Maryland State police speculated that the damage may have been caused by a stray bullet fired while the AW139 was providing air support during the chase of a Pennsylvania bank robbery, PA police later told FOX45 that they have no reports of shots fired by bank robbers at aircraft during the chase. 

Police have declined to release photos of the possible bullet hole damage.

The state borrowed $130 million to purchase ten AW-139s to replace an aging Medevac fleet. The decision to purchase 12 of the larger, more technologically advanced helicopters, rather than privatizing the fleet or refurbishing existing helicopters, was controversial when it was made in 2008 - and remains so today. 

Original article: http://www.foxbaltimore.com

Updated: Thursday, September 26 2013, 12:53 PM EDT Another newly purchased AW-139 medevac helicopter has sustained damage, this time during routine maintenance. It marks the second time in less than a month that the state's recently purchased choppers have been sidelined. State police say the chopper's top rotor was damaged when a technician used a rope in an effort to realign the bade. The chopper, known as 'Trooper Six,' flies out of the Easton barracks. Earlier this month another AW-139, known as Trooper 3, which is based in Frederick was stranded on the helipad of Maryland Shock Trauma. State Police said a bullet may have punctured the top rotor. Though Maryland State police speculated that the damage may have been caused by a stray bullet fired while the AW139 was providing air support during the chase of a Pennsylvania bank robbery, PA police later told FOX45 that they have no reports of shots fired by bank robbers at aircraft during the chase. Police have declined to release photos of the possible bullet hole damage. The state borrowed $130 million to purchase ten AW-139s to replace an aging Medevac fleet. The decision to purchase 12 of the larger, more technologically advanced helicopters, rather than privatizing the fleet or refurbishing existing helicopters, was controversial when it was made in 2008 - and remains so today.

Read More at: http://www.foxbaltimore.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/more-damage-new-state-medevac-helicopters-22533.shtml#.UkSQ_OKqbE0