Barrier Aviation operations suspended
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has suspended the operations of Barrier Aviation Pty Ltd with immediate effect from 23 December 2012.
This
action has been taken because CASA believes permitting Barrier Aviation to continue to fly poses a serious and imminent risk to air safety.
CASA believes Barrier Aviation has been operating aircraft with serious and known defects.
CASA has evidence of Barrier Aviation directing pilots to fly with serious and known aircraft defects, as well as not recording those defects on aircraft maintenance documentation when the defects became known.
The suspension follows an audit of Barrier Aviation which revealed a range of maintenance related deficiencies.
Further investigations by CASA uncovered additional maintenance issues.
The suspension is in force immediately for an initial five working days, during which time CASA must apply to the Federal Court for an extension.
If the Federal Court supports CASA's application, the court can continue the suspension for a period of time which will allow CASA to finalise investigations of all relevant matters. Whether the suspension continues beyond that time would depend upon CASA's findings.
Barrier Aviation is a Cairns based charter, aerial work and flying training air operator.
Operations are conducted from Cairns, Horn Island, Darwin and Gove.
The inconvenience this action will cause for passengers and Barrier's employees is regrettable, especially at this time of year. In all cases and at all times, however, CASA's primary and overriding consideration is safety.