Coast Guard helicopter grounded at Rockwell Collins flying again

A Coast Guard MH-60 helicopter that visited Rockwell Collins Thursday ended up spending about four days longer than expected.

The helicopter from Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, N.C., was unable to depart before the weekend due primarily to a wiring issue that caused hydraulic problems. It has just received an overhaul and was on a training mission to test its capabilities when it visited Rockwell Collins, where its new cockpit electronics were manufactured.

Commander Eric Carter of the flight crew said the delay was due primarily to the need to wait for parts. He said it's a good thing the issues were detected because the helicopter may be pressed into rescue service for the massive storms Hurricane Sandy is bringing to the East Coast.

"Hopefully we can get it back in service in case it's needed," Carter said.

The last parts needed arrived Sunday and the Iowa Army National Guard unit based in Waterloo helped out with the repairs, Carter said. The crew of four was preparing to leave Monday afternoon and was expecting to be diverted to a location south of its base due to the storm.

The Coast Guard already had made some rescues off the Carolina coast due to the storms, but it was unclear how extensive the rescue effort would become, Carter said.