All Robinson R44 series helicopters fitted with main rotor blades P/N CO16-7, otherwise known as dash 7 blades, have been banned from flying as of today, the CAA said.
In a statement, CAA Director Graeme Harris said the directive was a response to an investigation into the R44 accident on Thursday that killed Stephen Anthony Nicholson Combe (42), of Wanaka, and James Louis Patterson-Gardner (18), of Queenstown.
The pair were found dead at the scene of the crash, in remote bush in the Lochy Valley area, in the Eyre Mountains southwest of Queenstown,
It appeared the aircraft's main rotor blade had failed during flight, he said.
Today's announcement was to "prevent the possibility of main rotor blade separation and consequent loss of the helicopter", Mr Harris said.
It was thought around 80 R44s would be affected by the directive.
A total of 184 Robinson R44 aircraft are recorded on the New Zealand Civil Aviation register.
