Originally Posted by
helispotter
There has been a fair bit of discussion on this thread about ejection seats, whether or not fitted on the lost S-211, and the local regulatory position.
In post #53 by ahwalk01, a link to a video of the lost aircraft is provided. At 45:26 into that video the passenger makes a passing reference to not having to use the Mk10 ejection seats as if they were still available for ejection at the time. But I didn't see any obvious ejection seat handles in the video. Can someone say with certainty whether or not the seats were still available for ejection on this aircraft? I realise ATSB will clarify this in a future report.
In the post #341 by SpazSinbad, a link is provided to the revised accident report for VH-LSN in March 1993. Under the section '1.15 Survival aspects' they write:
"The MiG 15UTI was fitted by the manufacturer with ejection seats. Operational specifications concerning the ejection seats were not available. The ejection seats were disarmed in VH-LSN and the pilot was aware that he did not have an ejection capability. CAA regulations permitted the seats to be armed in those instances where the owner/operator could comply with specific requirements. At the time of the occurrence none of the operators of MiG 15 aircraft in Australia maintained an ejection seat capability in their aircraft".
So at least back then CAA (now CASA) didn't have a blanked ban on use of ejection seats on civil registered aircraft. That may have changed, but if so it would be worth hearing from others who know about any such changes.
The seats were absolutely and unequivocably inert. This has been stated by people in this thread already who are familiar with the aircraft directly