Gippsland GA8 cleared to fly in New Zealand by CAA

New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has lifted its temporary suspension of all 21 Gippsland GA8 aircraft.

The CAA grounded the aircraft six days ago following the death of nine people in Sweden when a Gippsland GA8 crashed after leaving the runway. Australia's civil aviation regulator also grounded the planes.

CAA director Graeme Harris wanted to be sure there were no issues with the aircraft type itself, so instructed the aircraft be grounded in Aotearoa during an investigation.

"Based on the limited information available immediately after the accident, the 21 GA8 aircraft operating in New Zealand were grounded, as well as a number operating overseas. There were 63 aircraft grounded in Australia for the same reasons," Mr Harris said.

There are 10 aviation operators in New Zealand who fly the Gippsland GA8.

Harris announced this morning that they were now cleared to fly again.

"The precautionary suspension was triggered by initial information from the investigation into the Swedish accident which showed the aircraft had broken up in flight,” he said.

However, new information from investigators has since come to light which indicates there was no evidence to indicate a potential unsafe condition. 

"As a consequence, the GA8 aircraft type would now be safely allowed to return to normal operations," the CAA said in a statement.

"Our Australian counterpart... has an airworthiness engineer in Sweden, observing the accident investigation, and feedback from this work has been beneficial."

Newshub.