BAE Systems Flight Training Pacific Aerospace CT/4B Airtrainer Fleet Grounded

The Australian Defence Force’s fleet of Pacific Aerospace CT/4B basic trainers operated by the BAE Systems Basic Flying Training School at Tamworth has been grounded following the forced landing of one of their aircraft last week.

A report in local The Northern Daily Leader newspaper says Defence has confirmed the fleet was subject to a “temporarily paused flight operations” while all aircraft were assessed. The only information given as to a possible cause of the forced landing was said to be a “flight control restriction”.

The report also indicated the aircraft in question had since returned to Tamworth, but didn't specify whether it had been flown back.

Of interest, a pair of CT/4B trainers of the BAE Systems Basic Flying Training School flew up to the Old Station Fly-in in late May and were spotted on Sunday 25 May passing through Gladstone Airport on their way back South.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 25 June it was reported that the Department of Defence has advised that all CT-4B trainers operated by BAE Systems at the Basic Flying Training School (BFTS) at Tamworth have returned to service.

Via Australian Aviation

File photos taken by Michael Fleetwood  ©