This statement provides an update on the AAIB investigation into a serious incident involving a Leonardo AW189 helicopter, G?MCGT, near Heads of Ayr, South Ayrshire, on 30 July 2021.
During an offshore training sortie, the flight crew encountered pitch instability and an erroneous status indication when switching between particular Search and Rescue (SAR) modes of the Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS).
The AAIB investigation has focused on the operation of the AFCS SAR modes and the indications it provides to flight crews. The helicopter manufacturer has published a Technical Information Letter to alert flight crews to this issue.
The report is nearing completion at which time it will be published.