20 July 2019
GippsAero Airvan GA8 aircraft have been grounded after an accident where a wing was reported to have fallen off.
The Australian aviation authority, CASA, reported that on 14 July 2019, a fatal accident occurred with a GA8 ‘Airvan’ aeroplane, during a flight where the purpose was to drop parachutists.
Indications are that the aeroplane, at 4 000 metres altitude, suffered structural failure. 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.
CASA Australia, the authority of the State of Design of the affected type design, has informed EASA that a Direction will be issued, which provides for the temporary prohibition of operations of the GA8 Airvan in Australia. The Direction will take effect on 20 July 2019 and will be valid for 15 days.
Based on all available information, and taking into account the Australian Direction, EASA has decided to ground the affected aeroplanes registered in EASA Member States, until further notice.
The AD is EASA AD No.: 2019-0177-E
