Australia has grounded all 63 of the domestically built GippsAero GA8 Airvans registered in that country and EASA is allowing ferry permits only in Europe after a fatal crash in Sweden killed all nine on board. The aircraft was on a skydiving flight. Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority suspended GA8 operations for 15 days starting July 20 and ending Aug. 3 while Swedish and EASA authorities investigate the July 14 crash in Umeo, Sweden. Last week EASA issued a statement saying structural failure at 14,000 feet has been implicated in the tragedy. “Early reports are that a wing may have detached from the aeroplane prior to the accident, but, at this time, the root cause of the accident cannot be confirmed,’’ it said.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/australia-europe-ground-gippsaero-ga8