Under normal circumstances, details from the ongoing investigation of serious allegations (such as those made above) are kept under wraps until final findings are released. On this occasion however, I was able to do a bit of snooping around, and came up with the following details. This information is strictly unofficial and portions remain as yet unsubstantiated, so it would be appreciated if the details were not disseminated to the mass media.
INVESTIGATION CASE XM25122002AS
Known Facts:
Foreign registered aircraft was discovered at a remote airstrip between Darwin and Broome (attatched to the Jingilingilin Belsenwurra Community). CASA officers approached the aircraft and the flight crew and proceeded to undertake a full ramp inspection, with the following findings:
The aircrafts maintenance release was invalid, due to the issuing workshop not being CASA approved to issue Class 'S' releases.
The aircrafts pilot had the distinctive odour of whiskey in his breath, further questioning revealed that this had been consumed during previous turnarounds as the evenings flying progressed.
An inspection of the aircrafts seating area revealed evidence of passengers on prior flights. When the pilot was asked to produce a passenger manifest, he was unable, and simply stated that he had made a list, and proffesed that he had checked its accuracy several times (possibly twice). Such a list was eventually found wedged under a cone marker at a previously visited airfield. A detailed inspection revealed that it had been correctly completed, with passengers being divided into separate seating in compartments labelled 'naughty' and 'nice'.
The pilot was questioned as to the validity of his instrument rating, and confessed that it had indeed lapsed, but added that he had been fly with an individual with a current rating, and pointed to a stocky individual wearing a communist party name tag marked 'Rudolph'. Rudolph appeared to speak only russian and was accompanied by what appeared to be his wife who was multi lingual, and responded to all questions addressed to Rudolph on his behalf. The initial questioning of Rudolph addressed his ability to navigate through precipitation, to which the reply was "Rudolph the Red knows rain, dear!" (editors note....rudolph the red nose........get it? aaarh forget it!).
Evidence was found of animals being attatched to the craft using illegal restraints that had no approval placard, and there was no evidence of the provision of moisture absorbant materials for the animals (which appeared to be a variety of large deer, sporting antlers).
The animals, aircraft and its cargo have all been impounded, and the pilot remanded in custody pending further investigation. Charges are expected to be laid under section 342b subsection 28b (iv) of the CAR's (this regulation is often referred to as the 'Santa Clause'). The investigation is expected to proceed in mid to late 2009.
Again....I'm not entirely sure how accurate this information is, but the last paragraph indicates that CASA may have pulled off the ultimate coup, and had christmas effectively cancelled for the next few years. Sounds like the guy in the suit could do with a bit of pro bono legal aid. Anyone got any ideas for him?