[Peetwo]

O&O AAI: AO-2017-057

Via the Search 4 IP thread: http://www.auntypru.com/forum/thread-10-...ml#pid9447

Backlog for aviation investigators
ROBYN IRONSIDE

...As of June 30, there were 81 ongoing complex aviation investigations and 34 ongoing short ­investigations. These included more than a dozen investigations dating back more than a year, including the probe into three deaths in a Ross Air Cessna Conquest 2 crash at Renmark in South Australia, and an Angel Flight crash at Mount Gambier last June, which took three lives.

The ATSB is yet to deliver its final report on the Perth Skyshow crash that killed a pilot and his passenger on Australia Day 2017, or the in-flight engine failure on an AirAsia X A330 in June 2017....

Despite all Hoody's protestations to the contrary, it would appear that the standard top-cover methodology for the management of complex and potentially sensitive high profile aviation accident investigations is to O&O them.

Although technically not yet overdue the tragic Ross Air accident is showing all the signs of being yet another classic ATSB O&O top-cover investigation...    

However it would seem that this time the family members of the Ross Air Chief Pilot Martin Scott, who was killed in the accident, are not prepared to accept being O&O'd by the ATSB...     

Via the Adelaide Advertiser:

Family of Rossair Renmark plane crash victim wants ‘highly questionable’ training routine banned

Elizabeth Henson, The Advertiser
October 28, 2018 9:13pm

THE family of a pilot killed in the 2017 Renmark plane crash wants a training exercise they believe contributed to the accident to be banned.

Rossair chief pilot Martin Scott, 48, experienced pilot Paul Daw, 65, and Civil Aviation Safety Authority officer Stephen Guerin, 56, were on board a nine-seat Rossair aircraft when it crashed into scrubland 4km from the Renmark Aerodrome on May 30, 2017.

Mr Daw was performing an induction flight at the time of the incident.

The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau is investigating the crash and has previously revealed the Cessna Conquest plane was in the air for only 60 to 90 seconds and reached an altitude of about 150m before it plunged to the ground.

Mr Scott’s widow Terri Hutchinson, who is also a pilot, his father Joe and brother Nigel have raised concerns over a training routine they believe played a factor in the crash, saying it “should have been discontinued long ago”.

Details on the routine have not been released due to the matter still being under investigation.


Rossair chief pilot Martin Scott was killed in the Renmark crash.


Mr Scott’s widow Terri Hutchinson and son Andy with their dog Sumo. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

In a statement issued to The Advertiser, they said it had “always been our sole purpose to ensure that lessons are learned from this (crash)”.

“We have spent considerable time and effort researching this, and similar training accidents worldwide, to attempt to come to some understanding as to why this accident occurred; and whether it could have been prevented,” they wrote.

“It seems without doubt that a major influence on this accident was the highly questionable training routine, which could and should have been discontinued long ago.

“It is our understanding that, to date, no safety notices have been issued in respect of this accident, which under the circumstances appears to be quite remarkable.”

The ATSB issues Safety Advisory Notices about incidents such as crashes to prevent recurrence.

ATSB Transport Safety Investigators at the crash site of the triple fatal Rossair plane crash near Renmark. Picture: Dylan Coker

“Sadly, it seems that apart from those directly affected by this accident, no one really seems to care. It would appear to be just another statistic for CASA, ATSB and the Australian Government to ponder on, but to do little to avoid such an accident ever happening again,” Mr Scott’s family said.

The family also expressed disappointment in the ATSB’s handling of its investigation into the crash.

“We are well aware of the issues surrounding confidentiality and ATSB’s requirement to ensure those involved are able to speak freely, without retribution, however by failing to provide us with even basic updates, we question the level of transparency and involvement which we can expect from them,” they said.

“All those concerned lost a great deal that day and it is disappointing to realise that the organisation we rely on to support us seem to be unable to deliver on their responsibilities. It is simply not good enough.”

They said they had not received regular updates on the inquiry and believed the investigation was both underfunded and under-resourced.

The ATSB had been expected to finalise its investigation into the crash in May this year however it announced at the time the report would not be ready until “early 2019.

The family said it found out “by accident” that it now may not be finalised until mid-2019.

“On raising the issue with ATSB, we were informed by the manager leading the investigation that the delay was due to the Investigator in Charge (IIC) requiring additional resources,” they said.


ATSB transport safety investigators at the crash site near Renmark. Picture: Dylan Coker

“The current IIC has been in place since April, yet only now does he consider he has insufficient staff to be able to complete the investigation within the anticipated time frame.

“There has been plenty of opportunity to ensure that sufficient personnel were in place, after all the accident occurred some 18 months ago, but clearly ATSB are simply not proactive enough for an investigation of this complexity.”

On Thursday afternoon, ATSB transport safety executive director Patrick Hornby said “the priority of the ATSB is always the thoroughness of an investigation to ensure that any safety issues are identified and addressed”.

“I regret this investigation has required additional time and I acknowledge that this can cause uncertainty for directly involved parties,” he said.

“The ATSB will continue to liaise with all directly involved parties.”

MTF...P2