Accredited Representative (State of Manufacture) - Collision with terrain - GippsAero GA8 Airvan - F-ORPH - near Félix Eboué Airport, Cayenne, French Guiana on 6 January 2014

Section 21 (2) of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 (TSI Act) empowers the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) to discontinue an investigation into a transport safety matter at any time. Section 21 (3) of the TSI Act requires the ATSB to publish a statement setting out the reasons for discontinuing an investigation.

On 6 January 2014 at 1808 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), a GippsAero GA8 Airvan aircraft, registered F-ORPH, was destroyed when it collided with terrain shortly after take off from Félix Eboué Airport, Cayenne, French Guiana. The pilot had returned for maintenance due to an engine problem during an initial take off attempt. The collision occurred after the pilot declared a MAYDAY two minutes after a second take off. One occupant was seriously injured while the other suffered minor injuries.

As the accident occurred in an overseas department of France, the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la sécurité de l'aviation civile (BEA) of France is responsible for investigating this accident. In accordance with international convention, the BEA notified the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) as Australia is the State of Manufacture of the aircraft. In accordance with clause 5.18 of Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the ATSB appointed an accredited representative to liaise with the BEA and initiated an investigation under the Australian Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003.

Given the time since the accident took place and that the BEA has not requested any assistance from Australia, the ATSB has decided to discontinue its investigation.