1986 British International Helicopters Chinook crash the Chinook was too big for the offshore support task and the remaining Chinooks were withdrawn and sold. All surviving aircraft now operate with Columbia Helicopters in heavy lift, non-passenger capabilities. 1986 British International Helicopters Chinook crash On 6 November 1986, a Boeing 234LR Chinook helicopter returning workers from the Brent oilfield crashed on approach to land at Sumburgh Airport in the Shetland Islands. At from the runway the helicopter had a catastrophic forward transmission failure which de-synchronised the tandem rotors, causing the blades to collide. The helicopter crashed into the sea and sank. 43 passengers and two crew members
Boeing Chinook (UK variants) such as the AgustaWestland Merlin HC.3 of the Royal Navy's Commando Helicopter Force and the RAF's Westland Puma HC.2, based at RNAS Yeovilton and RAF Benson. The RAF has a total of 60 active Chinooks in inventory as of 2015. In 2018 the UK issued a request to the United States to purchase 16 additional aircraft. The Chinook is expected to remain in RAF service until the 2040s. In March 1967 an order was placed for fifteen Chinook HC Mk1s, standing for "Helicopter, Cargo Mark 1", for the Royal Air Force to replace the Bristol Belvedere. This original MK1 variant