Bell Helicopter is ready to put its 525 back in the air, the manufacturer said. After receiving an experimental certificate renewal from the FAA, Bell said flight test activity has resumed after the fatal 2016 crash.
“Today we have resumed a key element of the Bell 525 program,” said Mitch Snyder, Bell’s president and CEO. “Bell Helicopter has worked with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA since the accident and we are confident in the resumption of flight test activity.”
The company said it still hopes to certify its fly-by-wire aircraft next year. The NTSB probe is ongoing, and the board has provided no official updat since its July 29, 2016, preliminary report.
