Just finished reading the history of ARL posted above.
Aircraft Accident Investigation at ARL: The First 50 Years
A very good read, particularly the end, dealing with Iriquois and Hornet investigations.
The lessons for the Senators however are at the very end.
<Quote from the last two pages, page 91 & page 92>
-91-
ARL gathers together, within the one establishment, expertise covering the full range of the aeronautical sciences. This expertise is supported by extensive laboratory facilities, computers and associated software. These assets are backed by considerable experience, and ARL's experience with the investigation of aircraft accidents goes back virtually to its very beginning. Within Australia, ARL is unique; it is the one organisation which can approach a technically complex accident with a reasonable expectation of success.
The purpose of accident investigation is to discover the cause in order that appropriate corrective measures can be implemented in a timely manner, thus preventing any recurrence. These objectives are not always achieved and this report contains several examples where accidents went on recurring despite the best efforts of the ARL investigators. However, over the past fifty years, a remarkably high standard has been maintained which will withstand comparison with the best overseas. The important thing is to maintain continuity, to learn from past mistakes and to strive for improvement.
As these pages indicate, one lesson that has been learnt is the folly of relying on overseas experts. Frequently their expertise is less than advertised and, if they represent the aircraft manufacturer, their objectivity is suspect.
Perhaps ARL's most important quality is that of professional integrity; a willingness to face facts however unpalatable.
If there is one continuing thread running through this report, it is the need to explain damage. It is always tempting to discard damage evidence that won't conform to preconceived ideas; it's not the evidence that's wrong, but the ideas. This is not a new observation.
-92-
Arrange your facts. Arrange your ideas. And if some little fact will not fit in - do not reject it, but consider it closely. Though its significance escapes you, be sure that it is significant.
Hercule Poirot - The Murder on the Links
(Agatha Christie, 1923)
<end>
Indeed, we need a real Poirot - to stop the rot.
The worst thing that ever happened was sending BASI to the ATSB.
What should now happen, is recreate BASI within the ARL, and leave Beaker and Co. to play with their trains and boats ...........