CASA Media Release - Wednesday, 19 December 2001
Whyalla accident report action
Australia's aviation safety standards are being raised following the tragic Whyalla Airlines accident in May 2000.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau's report on the accident found the pilot of aircraft VH-MZK was forced to ditch into Spencer Gulf in South Australia after mechanical failures in both engines.
The ATSB says "no-one should be blamed for this accident", in which eight people died.
However, the report does contain recommendations in relation to passenger safety which are being addressed by CASA as a priority.
CASA is already acting on four safety improvement recommendations, with further details on changes to regulations to be issued before the end of this year.
Safety rules will be changed to require all aircraft carrying fare-paying passengers that take off or land over water to carry lifejackets or flotation devices.
Currently aircraft with nine seats or less are not required to carry lifejackets or flotation devices.
A separate recommendation relating to emergency equipment in aircraft flying over water will be addressed by issuing a discussion paper to gather the views of the aviation industry on the best ways to improve safety.
CASA is also proposing a requirement for shoulder harness seat belts to be fitted to all small passenger carrying aircraft, a move which will affect about 800 aircraft across Australia.
At present, shoulder harnesses are only required for the front seats of all small aircraft and for those aircraft built after 1986.
Action has been taken by CASA to alert the operators of piston engine aircraft to the potential risks of running engines lean and to encourage conservative fuel leaning.
Two further recommendations, relating to operating and maintenance procedures for high powered piston engines and procedures for ditching aircraft, are to be investigated by CASA before making a formal response.
CASA's Director of Aviation Safety, Mick Toller, says the report of the investigation of the Whyalla accident is constructive and will help to improve safety.
"The whole of the aviation industry can take important lessons from this tragedy and CASA is committed to achieving lasting safety improvements," Mr Toller says.