The German military announced Friday that they had informed Airbus Helicopters (a partner in NH Industries) on Thursday 5th February 2015 of a design issue with the NH90.  Following their accident investigation of the crash of  one of their NH90 helicopters on June 19, 2014 in Uzbekistan, certain technical improvements to the overhead Control Panel (OHCP) are required in their view.

The issue focuses on a potential short-circuit in the triggering of the fire-fighting system of the engine. In the light of this newly discovered fact from Germany’s military Air Safety Committee (Flugsicherheitsausschuss), the Chief of Army has recommended a provisional suspension of all routine flight operations with NH90 for security reasons. This recommendation of the Inspector of the Army will follow. 

The Germany Ministry of Defence says that it now expects the elimination of the problem by the manufacturer as soon as possible.

John Burcote – HeliHub.com