The ICAO Audit Report available at the link in post #1456 is astonishing.
If that is the report to which Mr McCormick was referring when he said the major issue was that CASA did not have sufficient training in place for the inspectorate, I wonder whether hes actually read all 98 pages.
Ive merely skimmed the report, but a few of the Findings struck me as particularly ironic, in the context of the Pel Air accident.
Audit Finding OPS/03:
The Australian regulations do not require air operators certificate (AOC) holders and applicants to ensure that, in the event that an aeroplane becomes involved in an accident or incident, all related flight recorder records and associated flight recorders are preserved to the extent possible and are retained in safe custody pending their disposition as determined in accordance with ICAO Annex 13.
Australia agrees with this finding.
This issue is being addressed in the development of CASR Part 91.
Develop and promulgate CASR Part 91.
By 31 December 2009.
Audit Finding OPS/11:
There are no regulations in Australia that require air operators to implement a safety management system acceptable to the State or to clearly define the direct accountability for safety on the part of senior management.
Australia agrees with the finding. CASA is currently taking steps to introduce a requirement for AOC holders to implement Safety Management Systems in accordance with ICAO timeframes.
CASA will amend Civil Aviation Order Section 82 to incorporate requirements for AOC holders to implement Safety Management Systems.
By 31 December 2008
CASA will incorporate operator requirements into regulations currently under development (CASR Part 119).
By 31 December 2009.
Audit Finding AIG/01:
Funding for aviation accident investigations
Under the ATSB guidelines, occurrences that may fit the ICAO Annex 13s definition of an aircraft accident or incident may not be investigated. Although the ATSB submits a notification of these occurrences to ICAO in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 provisions, the ATSB does not submit a preliminary report and/or an accident data report identifying contributing safety factors or probable cause.