The AD requires that all Super Puma AS 332 L2 and EC 225 LP variants are inspected within 10 flight hours of the issue of the notice, or alternatively before the MGB Oil Cooler reaches 300 flight hours.

The notice comes as a result of an on-going investigation into a Norwegian Crash that seen 13 people killed after the main rotor blades detached mid-flight.

This notice has little impact on UK or Norwegian companies who have seen their Super Puma fleets remain grounded at the request of National Aviation Authorities, despite EASA lifting the European ban on the 7th of October 2016.

The inspection mandated by todays EAD requires engineers to inspect the MGB Oil Cooler for the presence of particles in accordance with a specific flushing method. If any of the suspect particles are found, the aircraft must remain grounded and a report submitted to Airbus within 3 days.

The revelation comes amid on-going cries by workers within the industry for the aircraft to be prevented from returning to the offshore oil and gas sector.

A recent survey conducted by Oil and Gas People found that two thirds of workers would refuse to get back on board a Super Puma Helicopter if they returned to service.