Further to my previous post I noticed that PAIN has released another report in relation to the Hempel Inquest, see here:
http://www.pprune.org/dg-p-general-a...nquest-23.html
The very first accident reviewed in that report also happens to be the one that Senator X refers to in Q3 of the CASA QONs.
This review makes it very clear that the Coroner recommendation '16' and ATSB recommendation (R20010195) has still not been properly addressed due in part to the fact that the relevant legislation is still (surprise, surprise!) yet to be enacted. Yet the ATSB Safety Action database says the following:
Date Issued:02 February 2009Response from:Civil Aviation Safety AuthorityResponse Status:Closed - AcceptedResponse Text:A Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) proposing amendments to Civil Aviation Regulation (CAR) 206 issued in March 2003. Responses to this NPRM and the associated review of the Classification of Operations confirmed that the proposed amendment to CAR 206, which would accommodate this recommendation would be problematic. Consequently, CASA has decided proceed only with the other amendments to CAR 206. The associated NFRM is currently with the Department of Transport and Regional Services for clearance prior to Ministerial approval.
However, under the new Civil Aviation Safety Regulations, Corp-orate Operations will be classified as Aerial work and will be regulated under CASR Part 132. The carriage of patients and other personnel (other than air transport operations) will be regarded as Aerial Work under subpart pf Part 136 to be titled Emergency and Medical Services Operations. It is proposed that 'Emergency Services Flights' will cover aerial fire-fighting, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations., while 'Medical Services Flights' will cover air ambulance flights, health services flights, and emergency medical services flights. The development of these regulations is proceeding in consultation with industry.
ATSB Note:
Based on the above advice the Australian Transport Safety Bureau reclassifies the recommendation as Closed - Partially Accepted as at 2 February 2009.
Recommendation R20010195
How very confusing anyway for your info here's the PAIN review:
1) CFIW: East of Cape Hillsborough, QLD, Bell 407, VH-HTD; 17 October 2003.
Report - R20050002.
Issue date 14 March 2005.
As a result of the investigation, safety recommendations were issued to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority recommending: a review of the night VFR requirements, an assessment of the benefits of additional flight equipment for helicopters operating under night VFR and a review of the operator classification and/or minimum safety standards for helicopter EMS
operations.
ATSB Safety Recommendation.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the Civil Aviation Safety Authority review it's operators classification and/or it's minimum safety standards required for helicopter Emergency Medical Services operations. This review should consider increasing; (1) the minimum pilot qualifications, experience and recency requirements, (2)
operational procedures and (3) minimum equipment for conduct of such operations at night.
Coroner Hennessy.
12. That CASA consider regulating for the initial training of a helicopter pilot to include night VFR training.
13. That CASA and the industry move towards a national system of accreditation and uniform standards for provision of EMS services in Australia.
14. That CASA investigate reclassification of EMS helicopter operations into charter category, or create a separate EMS category of aviation in order to provide the benefits of increased level of regulation and CASA oversight, than that presently available under the aerial work category.
15. That CASA ensure that appropriate information be provided to pilots on an ongoing basis regarding the issue of spatial disorientation.
16. The Coroner supports CASR draft regulations point 61 and 133 becoming final.
17. That beacons, both visual and radio, be placed on prominent and appropriate high points along routes commonly utilised by aero-medical retrieval teams, including Cape Hillsborough.
18. The Coroner supports the ATSB recommendations 20030213,and promulgation of information to pilots; 20040052, assessment of safety benefits of requiring a standby altitude indicator with independent power source in single pilot night VFR; 20040053, assessment of safety benefits of requiring an autopilot or stabilisation augmentation system in single pilot VFR; and R20050002, review operator classification and minimum safety standards for helicopter EMS operations.
CASA response.
Date Issued: 29 August 2005
CASA has reviewed its previous advice in relation to this matter [provided with the directly involved parties comments to draft occurrence report 200304282] and I am advised that the Authority has no additional comment to provide in response to recommendation R20050002. However, it should be noted that resources to review this action will be allocated in accordance with CASA's reviewed priorities. For your information, a copy of CASA's initial advice is recorded below. CASA advice CASA will:
* Review the requirements for helicopter EMS operations to include consideration for two pilots, or a stability augmentation and/or autopilot system;
* Review the special operational and environmental circumstances of helicopter EMS services, particularly with regard to pilot qualifications, training and recency including instrument flight competency; and
* Review the pilot recency requirements for helicopter EMS operations to ensure that operator check and training processes are focused on the EMS environment.
CASA 10 October 2007.
The following updates the actions previously advised in response to the recommendation:
This CAO (which is now in effect) empowers appropriately equipped, trained and approved EMS AOC holders to use NVG on their night EMS primary and secondary response tasking.
Both CASA and the industry consider this to be a major safety initiative and we will be monitoring its effect over the next twelve months by way of a formal research process.
Additionally I can advise that pilot qualification, training and recency requirements were also reviewed by both CASA and the industry as part of the consultation processes associated with the previously mentioned NVG implementation project, and that the industry subject matter experts at these meetings included several representatives from AOC holders who conduct EMS operations in both VFR and IFR situations at diverse
operational locations.
Comment - April 2012.
CASR 133 is still not available for use.
It is our opinion that essentially, the accident scenario potential to reoccur has not been eliminated.
So despite the smoke and mirrors displayed in the regulator's answer to Q3, sorry we're not swallowing it!
