Tail Boom Separates From AW139

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Key Takeaways:

  • An Agusta Westland 139 (AW139) helicopter, operated by Qatar-based Gulf Helicopters, experienced an apparent tail boom structural failure.
  • The incident reportedly occurred while the helicopter was taxiing for takeoff from Dohar, Qatar.
  • Photos of the damage are circulating online, but official confirmation of the circumstances and details of any ongoing investigation from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority are scarce.
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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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