[Kharon]

Seriously?

ATSB - “At about 0810 local time, a witness on a motorbike about 500 m away observed the aircraft dive down on what they presumed was a mob of sheep, to an altitude of about 50 ft above the ground, before climbing rapidly, turning to the left and then nosediving towards the ground.”.

If you read that statement in a newspaper, or heard it prattled by a talking head on 'the box'; there's a fair chance you'd shrug, ignore and decide to wait for the ATSB report. BUT WAIT ! – this is the ATSB preliminary report. Ye gods.

Who cares if 'the witness' was aback a horse; in his pajamas or sat on a fence post; of course, the 'mob' of sheep are highly relevant to the 'investigation' ;and, the assessment of the flight path of great technical value to the investigation. 'Nose diving' being especially beneficial to the final report.

Seriously, is this the best ATSB can come up with?

“A superior pilot uses his superior judgment to avoid situations which require the use of his superior skill”.

A big part of that 'skill' is grounded in the training and checking of the pilot as scripted; low level flight demands both, ask any of the crop dusting fraternity. This cheap, glib, throwaway report IMO belittles the demands of low level operations and begs some serious questions of the training provided. There are 'lessons' (not learnings {Grrr}) to take away from this fatal – let the idiot media write the rubbish, industry expects better from the ATSB. Much better.

P.S. The C90 incident could also stand some scrutiny – same deal, same questions.

Toot toot.....