1. I wouldn't believe anything that came out of the 4 Corners program. The reporter couldn't even get the name of the two main agencies correct (Civil Aviation Aviation and Safety Authority/Australian Transport and Safety Bureau????? what was the reporter thinking, zero credibility to start with!
2. Three Westwinds lost by the operator in just over 20 years.(Pel-Air was two separate AOC's for many years, one for the Jets and one for the Turbo-Props)
VH-IWJ – Oct 1985
VH-AJS - Apr 1995
VH-NGA – Nov 2009
3. The use of the term “High Quality” VHF Radio as against the “Poor Quality” HF. If you had any doubts about the accuracy information you hear on the HF you confirm it. Good RT practice especially when its safety critical information.
4. Its really that hard to get the weather by phone, and plan safely without access to a computer or the internet, or is it just easier to reverse your outbound plan and have a guess, don't forget though you will always use more fuel flying west!
The actions of the crew both in flight and during planning has to be questioned and was probably deficient in many areas, but how were they able to get themselves into the situation in the first place. It comes back to an organizational culture that has never been up to scratch and lack of training. Lets just hope that all involved learn from the event, and not point the finger in any one direction.
PS, I may be wrong, but the Westwing alternate landing gear extension operates by discharging high pressure nitrogen into the landing gear hydraulic system (up-lock, extension and down-lock). It is actuated by control cable from the cockpit that runs aft. It is likely that during the accident sequence as the airframe failed the cable tension activated the system, possibly even after the aircraft came to a stop.
Last edited by R555C; 3rd Sep 2012 at 14:00.