6.41 The committee recommends that the investigation be re-opened by the ATSB with a focus on organisational, oversight and broader systemic issues.
6.42 The committee is concerned that the ATSB report ATSB report on 'Collision with terrain - Piper PA-31P-350, VH-PGW, 6 km NW of Bankstown Airport, NSW, 15 June 2010' could demonstrate a trend where organisational and regulatory factors are not considered appropriately or in sufficient detail by the ATSB, despite post accident investigations by CASA indicating there were significant deficiencies with the operator and appearing to indicate insufficient oversight by CASA. As highlighted in Chapter 5, the committee is also concerned about ATSB attempts to predict future risk for operators. The ATSB should analyse why the accident happened but operators are best placed to assess how the lessons may affect their current and future operations.
(my bold)
Page 81 (103 pdf) paragraphs 6.30 to 6.51 inclusive, provide a solid foundation from which the Senate could build a true picture of the dreadful state in which aviation finds itself right now and the reasons why. So close and yet so far away.
Very much like Pel Air and Barrier – Skymaster was charged by CASA with "
indications of significant" etc. However, would an in depth analysis of the many allegations made reveal that the claimed 'deficiencies' were in fact beefed up and manipulated, purely to support the CASA case and had little to do with operational safety – in real terms? The abandoned evidence from two FOI related to the allegations made of Skymaster, needs only to be examined impartially to discern the clearly defined pattern. Subsequent ATSB reports are clearly slanted toward supporting the CASA stance. With Pel Air one has to wonder why then, with similar allegations laid at the feet of both operators, was the matter not as ruthlessly pursued, to placate the gods of "safety" ? Or why was the one operator able to be rehabilitated over a Christmas holiday period, issues blithely waived aside, where the other was hung, drawn and quartered over a much longer period. The true 'safety' issues in both cases have yet to be defined by the ATSB/ CASA combination tag team. Aye; It is all, indeed, passing strange.
What was done with the Skymaster "issues" later, when presented in the AAT defied logic and worse still achieved nothing toward enhancing industry knowledge, except to be afraid. Had there not been an amazing back flip, Pel Air would have ended up with a very similar result to Skymaster. The Coroner dealing with Skymaster will need to ensure that the evidence presented defines the facts and circumstances most precisely.
The final outcome of the two events, both managed by the same office is extraordinary; the diverse ways similar allegations were dealt with by the doyen of aviation safety are unbelievable, the damage to the spirit, intent and meaning of aviation law, through the manipulations and machinations of one or two men is grotesque. That the Australian ATSB should aid and abet these perversions is monstrous.
This report from the Senate does indeed open the gate and is a wonderful tool; but, if Australia is to make the massive quantum leap to probity and accountability, more work needs to be done, much more. This is not the time to sit back, we have a start but it is a long journey. Now, I wonder, can the AFP ferrets chase those wascally wabbits out of their deep burrow, without industry assistance and parliamentary oversight??