[Peetwo]

Chalk & cheese, plus the Ghost Who Walks is back?? 

I note that through the week that the ATSB prelim report into the tragic Broome R44 inflight breakup accident was released -   : 



Ref: https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/inv...-2020-033/

I also note that the 'Ghost who walks and talks beyond Reason' is back and has been promoted, at least for this week, to the seemingly ever changing executive position of 'ATSB Director of Transport Safety'...  : https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/news-items...t-breakup/

Via the Oz:

No check flight after maintenance for fatal crash chopper



The owner of a helicopter that crashed in Broome when its tail rotor fell off shortly after takeoff, had not conducted a check flight in the chopper after an engineering inspection.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has delivered its preliminary report on the July 4 crash that killed owner and pilot Troy Thomas, 40, and passenger Amber Jess, 12, and left two other passengers seriously injured.

The report found in the week before the crash, two pilots who flew the Robinson R44 on two separation occasions experienced vibrations in the tail rotor pedals, likened to “tapping their feet with spoons”.

An engineering inspection was arranged for July 3, involving an examination of the helicopter including the tail rotor assembly.

Electronic equipment was used to measure the dynamic balance of the tail rotor with the readings suggesting no adjustment was needed.

The licensed aircraft engineer and a maintenance pilot also started the helicopter but could not feel any vibration with their hands on the pedals.

However the pilot elected not to fly the chopper within the confined storage area which meant the tail rotor system could not be not assessed for vibration under load.

Late in the day, Mr Thomas was told no vibrations had been detected and the balance of the tail rotor was good.

“The maintenance pilot also relayed an instruction from the engineer to conduct a check flight,” said the report.

The accident flight took place the following afternoon with the owner as the pilot.

ATSB director of transport safety Dr Mike Walker said it was not clear if the pilot experienced any vibrations through the pedals before the crash.

“Nevertheless, the ATSB urges any R44 pilot who experiences unusual vibrations through the tail rotor pedals to land as soon as possible and follow the advice in the pilot’s operating handbook,” Dr Walker said.

The handbook advises that a “change in the sound or vibration of the helicopter may indicate an impending failure of a critical component. If unusual sound or vibration begins in flight, make a safe landing and have the aircraft thoroughly inspected before flight is resumed”.

The investigation into the fatal crash was continuing with particular focus on policies and procedures for maintenance check flights, and the helicopter’s construction, assembly, flight and maintenance history.

A final report was expected to be delivered in the next 12-months.

  
  Hmm...the Hooded Canary must be really scraping the bottom of Lake Burley Griffin if the best he can put up for Transport Director?? Remember this was the dude that brought us this load of codswallop: 



And who could forget this insult to our collective intelligence and PelAir survivors Kaz Casey and Dom James: The hidden agenda of PelAir MKII IIC Dr Walker

Full Steam GD.  Pour it On.

Damn the guns and hammer the engines – we have an urgent pick up and delivery mission.

Made a routine ‘how gozit’ call Karen Casey, see what was new and how things were progressing. On the positive side Sen. Cameron has taken an interest in the matter and there are positive signs from that. Here endeth the good news.

To business: stunned is the only way I can describe my reaction to the following; incredulous followed, then fury. Plain old fashioned outrage, in spades, redoubled.  It goes like this, paraphrased for brevity.

KC rings ATSB – Walker, to see when the second ATSB report may emerge from deep sleep chamber.

Walkers response was unbelievable; but notes and a statutory declaration take the matter to truth. In short, he was rude and aggressive. Statements like “Karen, just what do hope to gain from this report” “What do you want to get out of it”.  “It is your fault there is a delay”.  The whole debacle seems to be Karen’s fault all of a sudden and the ATSB is offended; etc. grossly miffed.

It was not Karen’s fault the aircraft ditched; it was not Karen’s fault she got badly hurt and it most certainly was not Karen’s fault that the ATSB and CASA got caught sweeping the whole thing under the table; nor was it Karen’s fault that Albo dived out of the back door as soon as the smoke alarum went off.  Karen had little to do with the Senate findings and the pasting dished out to both ATSB and CASA was well deserved. They got away very lightly, considering.

None of this is any excuse for being rude to anyone. Who the duck does Walker think he is? ATSB should be calling for his resignation.  No matter who rings with a genuine concern no one should be treated in the manner Karen was.

What chance a honest report when the man in charge turns out to be a coward and a bully?  Those types, when under pressure and attempting to justify that which cannot be justified habitually turn out to be not only disingenuous but happy to offset the blame to anyone else they can.

If the Walker attitude reflects the ‘new’ ATSB approach to victims of air accident then it is time for the minister to step in. I know that had I spoken to anyone in the workplace in that manner, my head would be following my arse out of the door before I could say ‘Sorry’.

If Walker won’t resign, then the minister needs to act, swiftly.  Fair warning, this is not going away.

A metaphorical head in basket is demanded: I don’t care how it gets there.

I cannot properly express the full measure of contempt and disgust this story has generated. The Pel-Air charade was a national disgrace; mentally kicking an accident victim when they are down and struggling to get through life with pain and grief is beneath contempt, particularly when the thread which keeps Karen attached to this world is tenuous, even on a good day.

Lets go and pick up this prick GD; seems he is late for his appointment with the Boss.

More to follow - bet your life on it.

Toot – bloody – toot.

The Chalk: Regardless of the return of the 'Ghost Who Walks', the efforts of the IIC and his investigative team in compiling a factual and concise prelim report without any apparent political and bureaucratic influence, spin and bulldust is refreshing -    
The Cheese: Which is in stark contrast to the topcover snowjob that appears to be occurring with the, fast approaching, 3 year  ATSB investigation into the Essendon DFO approval process, which (without any public notification) was recently updated (14 August 2020) with yet another delay to the anticipated completion date: 
  

  Anticipated completion: 3rd Quarter 2020  

Hmm..no comment required -

MTF...P2