Tail Boom Separates From AW139

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Key Takeaways:

  • An Augusta Westland 139 helicopter, operated by Gulf Helicopters, experienced an apparent tail boom structural failure.
  • The incident reportedly occurred while the aircraft was taxiing for takeoff in Dohar, Qatar.
  • Photos of the damage are circulating, but official confirmation of the circumstances and any ongoing investigation by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority are currently unavailable.
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Although official confirmation of the circumstances are hard to come by, photos have been circulating that show an apparent tail boom structural failure of an Augusta Westland 139. The aircraft was operated by Gulf Helicopters, a Qatar-based company that has more than 20 helicopters, including four AW139s. According to the forums, the failure occurred while the helicopter was taxiing in preparation for takeoff from Dohar, Qatar. Presumably the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority is investigating but there’s no mention of it on their Web site.

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