Navy resumes operation of Wildcat choppers after inspection

SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- The Navy resumed the operation of AW-159 naval helicopters on Friday, about a month after they were grounded since one of them showed signs of a malfunction during a flight.

In November, one of the shipborne, anti-submarine choppers named Wildcat made "a preventive landing" during patrol operations after a slight vibration was detected.

The investigation found that one of its components, called a rotor vibration damper, was dysfunctional because of a fatigue crack that developed due to unidentified causes, the Navy said, adding that all the remaining choppers did not have such problems.

The Navy currently operates eight AW-159 choppers manufactured by Leonardo Helicopters of Italy.

"After inspections, we resumed the operation of the seven choppers as of 10 a.m. starting with test flights," a Navy officer said.

"We will continue to carry out an investigation into what caused the part to be broken along with the manufacturer," he added.

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