Airvans Grounded

On 14 July 2019, a fatal accident occurred with a GA8 Airvan skydiving plane in Sweden. Indications are that the aircraft, at 4000 meters altitude, suffered structural failure. Early reports are that a wing may have detached 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 emergency AD 2019-0177-E is considered an interim action and further AD action may follow.

Source : https://news.aviation-safety.net/2019/07/19/casa-australia-and-easa-ground-ga-8-airvan-following-a-recent-accident-in-sweden/

New Zealand has only one Airvan on airline service. Golden Bay Air uses Airvan ZK-ZUG on its scheduled air service from Takaka to Wellington as well on services to Karamea and Nelson. At present the airline is not operating its services to Wellington as its has its annual winter close down when the fleet receives major maintenance. One presumes the Seneca ZK-ZAG will be able to maintain the schedule until the Airvans are returned to service.

Airvans are also by the following operators

Kaikoura Aero Club - EHS
Wings over Whales - FSR, KBZ
Air Glenorchy - JRR, LOR, ORC & ZEA
Salt Air - MAB
Milford Sound Flights - MCM, MCZ & ZQN.
Southern Alps Air - MLF, WMF
Pelorus Air - PEL
Air Safaris - SAE SAU & SAZ
Southern Lakes Aviation - SLQ, SLW & SLZ  
Golden Bay Air - ZUG