[Peetwo]

Hoodlum we may have a problem?

Irony of ironies, some 20 days ago we had the ATSBeaker (as it was then) release the bollocks 2nd interim report into investigation AO-2014-032 - see post: World's best practice in CYA Aviation Accident Investigation. This interim report was released because apparently after 847 days of ATSBeaker investigation a safety issue was identified... :

Inadvertent activation of the elevator control system - pitch uncoupling mechanism

Inadvertent application of opposing pitch control inputs by flight crew can activate the pitch uncoupling mechanism which, in certain high-energy situations, can result in catastrophic damage to the aircraft structure before crews are able to react.
ATSB Safety Issue No: AO-2014-032-SI-01

   
This interim report was apparently brought to the attention of the Indonesian AAI the NTSC who saw similarities to a reported incident involving an ATR-72 on the 27 June 2016, which they are now investigating:

Accredited representative to the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee investigation of the damage sustained by ATR 72 aircraft, registered PK-WG
 
Investigation number: AE-2016-069
Investigation status: Active
 

• Summary
  

On Monday 27 June 2016, the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC) commenced an investigation into damage sustained by ATR 72 aircraft, registered PK-WGL. Initial examination of this damage suggested similarities with that found on an Australian-registered ATR 72, registered VH-FVR, which is being investigated by the ATSB (see ATSB investigation AO-2014-032 at ATSB website). On 29 June 2016, the NTSC requested the appointment of an ATSB accredited representative to the NTSC investigation in accordance with clause 5.23 of Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation. This was a result of the ATSB’s experience with the ATR during investigation AO-2014-032 and an accredited representative was appointed to the NTSC investigation that day. To facilitate this support, the ATSB initiated an investigation under the Australian Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003.

The NTSC is responsible for, and will administer the release of the final investigation report into the occurrence involving PK-WGL. Any enquiries regarding the NTSC investigation should, in the first instance, be directed to the:
Ministry of Transportation Fl. 3
Jalan Medan Merdeka Timur No.5
Jakarta  10110
INDONESIA 
Telephone:    +62 21 351 7606
Facsimile:  +62 21 351 7606
Email: knkt@dephub.go.id
Email: [email=knkt@dephub.go.id]knkt@dephub.go.id
[/email]Website: http://kemhubri.dephub.go.id/knkt
 
General details

Date: 27 Jun 2016
 
Investigation status: Active
 
Investigation type: External Investigation
 
Location   (show map): International
 
State: International
 
Occurrence class: Technical
 
Occurrence category: Technical Analysis
 
Report status: Pending 
 
 


Last update 01 July 2016

 
- I just love the irony of that NTSC request for an ATSB accredited rep, as per ICAO Annex 13 para 5.23:

Rights

5.23 Any State which on request provides information, facilities or experts to the State conducting the investigation shall be entitled to appoint an accredited representative to participate in the investigation.

Note.— Any State that provides an operational base for field investigations or is involved in search and rescue or wreckage recovery operations may also be entitled to appoint an accredited representative to participate in the investigation.

Shit I hope the Indo's listen to what the astute Alan Stray taught them and they don't follow the Beaker template for incident investigations. Otherwise there will be ATR's dropping from the sky over Indo waters!

Tick tock

Update: Also now on the Planetalking blog, see my comment HERE:  

"...Damaged Virgin Australia turbo-prop risked crashing for five days
ATSB alerts the world to a safety issue that could have crashed a Virgin Australia turbo-prop..."

Ben Sandilands


Damage to the T-tail of the Virgin Australia ATR

MTF...P2