When a 15,000 hour veteran of the RFDS meets his end in a swamp at midnight you have to wonder what on earth happened to cause him to crash. He was one of my closest friends.
Single pilot IFR in RFDS aircraft on short notice IMC flights, must surely demand the greatest of flying skills. Why then does the RFDS crew these flights with only one pilot?
Is it lack of money?
If a fraction of the millions spent by the government on welfare cheques to the aborigine communities whom the RFDS serve, could have been spent on the employment of a co-pilot on these mercy flights, it is possible that Smithy could be alive today.
Many corporations demand that their employees who travel by air in GA aircraft are to be flown by two-pilot crews. It costs extra, but it is a much safer proposition. For whatever reason, The RFDS has elected not to follow this path.
The RFDS operate sophisticated turbo-prop aircraft in all weathers, night and day, and are justly proud of their safety record. But regardless of aircraft sophistication and high pilot experience, there is a significant risk inherent in night circling approaches flown by a single pilot. This is exacerbated by the urgency of a mercy flight.
Throw in night operations to remote airstrips preceded by hurried flight planning, and it was inevitable that an accident was on the cards, sooner or later.
In view of these well known risks, why has not the RFDS and/or CASA insisted on a two-pilot operation? Forget a wonderful auto-pilot, weather radar and the best GPS on the market. Fine aids they may be, but they can never substitute for another qualified pilot in the right hand seat.
Heaven only knows, there are enough unemployed instrument rated commercial pilots only too happy to be of service in this regard.