File photo. Two Air Force NH90 helicopters taking part in an exercise in Marlborough. Photo: New Zealand Defence Force
The Air Force has stopped flying its NH90 helicopters for 48 hours following an Australian Defence Force crash on Friday.
The crash involved an Australian Army MRH90 Taipan helicopter, which is the same type of aircraft as an NH90.
The crash took place during exercise Talisman Sabre in the Whitsunday Islands, off Queensland, with the loss of four crew.
Air Vice-Marshal Andrew Clark said the pause on flying the eight New Zealand NH90s was a precaution and the situation would be reassessed on Thursday morning.
"While the RNZAF has no current reason to believe our NH90s are not safe to fly, as a precautionary approach we decided to pause our flying for 48 hours to carry out a risk assessment. At the end of that time, we will make a decision whether to resume flying or not."
He said the operational pause was not a grounding, which was a formal declaration by regulators that an aircraft type cannot fly.
While flying was paused, the helicopters may be used if required to respond to a situation where lives were at risk, Clark said.
"However, it would depend on the particular circumstances," he said.
The RNZAF's eight NH90 helicopters are operated by No. 3 Squadron based at Ohakea in Manawatū. Three of the helicopters are deployed on Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia and were not involved in Friday's incident.
"Our thoughts remain with our Australian colleagues during this tragic time," Clark said.
