The Hercules that was to fly Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern back to New Zealand from Antarctica has broken down.
Ardern was due to fly back in the C130 Hercules on Friday, but due to "an issue" with the plane, she is scheduled to depart Antarctica on Saturday, Antarctica NZ said.
A spokesperson said an Italian plane will transport her and her entourage back to New Zealand because the Hercules had a propeller malfunction.
"A RNZAF C-130H Hercules aircraft has been grounded at Phoenix Airfield near Scott Base while repairs are made. The aircraft was starting engines on Friday evening when a propeller malfunction occurred on one engine. The Hercules was immediately shut-down and the passengers offloaded, including the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern," a New Zealand Defence Force spokesperson said.
They said the aircraft had been on the ground in Antarctica for two days and cold temperatures can cause the aircraft propeller seals to have issues on start-up due to congealing hydraulic fluid and seal rigidity.
"To mitigate this issue propeller heaters are used and a methodical pre-flight process is used to warm the aircraft to a suitable operating temperature. Unfortunately, these procedures have not worked in this instance."
The C130H will be repaired and is expected to return to New Zealand in the next few days.
It comes after Ardern's flight to Antarctica had to turn around and return to Christchurch due to bad weather.
The Prime Minister is visiting Antarctica to get a first-hand look at the critical research being undertaken by Kiwis through the Antarctic Science Platform and will mark the 65th year of Scott Base.
Ardern also looked at the progress on the redevelopment of Scott Base which is set to be the future of the research hub for at least the next 50 years.
Ardern said the Scott Bass redevelopment is about maintaining work that has been done there for years.
"We have a strong history and connection with Antarctica but this is the place which our scientists base themselves, our heritage preservation work is done and for over 60 years it served its purpose well," Ardern said.
"But as you can imagine in this harsh environment it does need to be maintained. This redevelopment is about sustaining the role that we already have here but making sure that we future-proof it."
