The full release is:
Approvals for Broome helicopter services cancelled
The air operator's certificate held by Broome Helicopter Services Pty Ltd has been cancelled by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
CASA has also cancelled the appointment of Joseph Calandra as chief pilot of Broome Helicopter Services.
Broome Helicopter Services is a small charter and aerial work air operator based in Broome, Western Australia.
CASA initially identified non-compliance with a range of relevant safety requirements during an audit of Broome Helicopter Services.
These non-compliances included poor record keeping, failure to comply with pilot flight and duty limitations, not adequately training pilots, poor airworthiness control, aircraft operated with overdue maintenance and incorrect load control.
In subsequent reviews CASA determined the identified safety problems had not been properly addressed.
During investigations in 2013, CASA became aware the managing director of Broome Helicopter Services, Mr Calandra, who was also the chief pilot, had directed junior and relatively inexperienced pilots to falsify operational records.
CASA alleges the falsified records including those relating to a helicopter accident - with the aim of preventing Mr Calandra and Broome Helicopter Services from being held accountable for non-compliance with safety regulations.
CASA subsequently initiated enforcement action in late 2013, and as part of this process provided Broome Helicopter Services with the opportunity to respond to CASA's concerns.
The decisions to cancel Broome Helicopter Service's air operator's certificate and Mr Calandra's chief pilot approval are based on CASA's safety concerns and the lack of acceptable changes made by Broome Helicopter Services in response to those concerns.
Broome Helicopter Services is entitled to seek a review of both decisions in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
Media contact:
Peter Gibson
Mobile: 0419 296 446
Email:
[email protected]
Ref: MR2714
I hope this is not going to turn out like other "investigations", where the organisation is:
"GUILTY COZ we said so"