LL# 616 - Its interesting that further back a post by SUIYA highlighting that part of the Senate Hearing was not picked up the usual posters.
Correct LL, not ignored; just saving it for a rainy day; it is apparently one of Sen X. pet hobby horses. Reason I let it slide was it's quite a debate and has been done on PPRune before, without much dialogue I might add. The 'signed confession' is problematic, and relates back to much hated Miller Report, the MPU, the concept of Safety Management Systems and the fact that CASA admits they are now providing written instructions to operators to c.c CASA with all reports required to be sent to the ATSB. It's a crock.
But it figures fairly low on the totem pole (topical) as far as 'crimes against the industry' figure in light of this mess.
1) Essential safety information related to (approved) ditching protocol and CRM were sat on for better than two years.
2) Important 'eye witness' information related to live jacket (vest) operation has been suppressed for a similar period of time. This information alone should trigger a rethink and possibly a rewrite of Operations Manual' sections which deal with these issues. Maybe a refit of the equipment as maintenance falls due, to include a LED strobe, 121.5 mini transmitter, sensible attachment for whistles and a spray hood. Perhaps even go whole hog and make sure that once the "vest is donned" the bloody thing stays "donned".
3) CASA influenced and tried to pervert this and other essential information, then tried to wriggle out from under.
4) The ATSB has either been rogered and left holding the baby; or, it was complicit in the cover up.
Either way, credibility zero. In the AAT, Court or Coroner, the probity of evidence and the technical expertise relied on by the body hearing the matter must be beyond reasonable doubt. No one believing the rubbish provided in the report and later in the Senate can rely on ATSB or CASA 'evidence' to arrive at a 'safe' judgement.
Yes Minnie dear, directly: I know what the time is. (Strewth).