This was a serious transoceanic flight.
Pelair dispatched the crew on the mission.
Would things have been different if they had rostered a much more experienced Co-Pilot; one with an ATPL and the ability to cross check Dom's flight plan? The challenges of this flight were vastly different to those of a normal flight around Australia and should have warranted a far greater degree of support from Pelair Flight Ops than was actually provided, including a Co Pilot who wasn't a junior.
Would things have been different if Pelair planned for pilot fatigue and duty time?
Would things have been different if the Chief Pilot consulted with Dom in Apia cross checking his flight plan and wx? If Dom didn't have internet, why didn't Pelair fax the flight plan and wx to him?
Would things have been different if Dom had received the correct wx from Nadi (600', not 6000') and crucially, that Auckland ATC passed on the actual wx report 300' ceiling to him when the Unicom operator advised as such?
After the incident, it was the Chairman of Pelair who immediately hailed the pilot as a hero. Was this a classic spin doctor tactic; to elevate the pilot to the public to deflect attention on where it should have been, so he could then be devoured by a hungry media looking for a hero and for blood, in particular, that ridiculous 60 Minutes report?
The conduct of CASA and the ATSB borders on criminal.
As unfortunate as this incident was, it will probably be the catalyst to force much needed change in the way the regulator, accident investigator and the airline operators relate to each other.
This will no doubt save many lives in the future.
That is the good thing to come out of this incident.
Due credit should also be given to Dominic James for electing to remain silent on this matter until now, waiting until the ATSB report was released so he could finally comment on the 'facts' as discovered by the ATSB.
Dominic conducted himself professionally throughout the whole aftermath of this incident. Lesser men would have taken the easy option and succumbed to the media feeding frenzy. He demonstrated patience, professionalism and humility.
Last edited by KLN94; 3rd Sep 2012 at 21:21.