training wheels good catch and interesting article (& photo) from the
Border Mail...
VH-FTS
How are CASA and the ATSB hiding things? I didn't realise they were the ones obligated to tell the press every time there was an accident or incident? Once the report is finalised, yes, but not during the initial investigation. I'd say they are probably doing their job properly behind the scenes - just because you, the pruner, doesn't know about it doesn't mean it's being handled poorly.
FTS I'm sure that you're probably right in regards to the investigators on the coalface doing their
job properly, however I beg to differ with the rest of your statement.
Both of the occurrences in this case were listed as 'accidents' and both are being investigated. History shows that anytime a serious incident/accident is notified to the ATSB they will invariably post a media release within a day, if not hours, of the occurrence.
It is interesting that the BM article was released on the 08/03/14, some 11 days after the 2nd incident/accident, yet the article states:
The incidents are being treated as separate.
A Virgin Australia spokesman, Nathan Scholz, said there was no evidence linking the two matters.
Mr Scholz said that on February 20, the Sydney-bound flight struck turbulence that led to a crew member being injured and Virgin notified the bureau.
He said five days later the pilot reported a bird strike mid-flight and found damage to the outside of the aircraft upon landing to Albury.
However if we refer to the ATSB weekly summary lists for the
28 Feb 14 (entry 168) &
7 Mar 14(entry 182) we get the following notifications for the apparently unrelated occurrences (formatted differently but you'll get the picture):
20/02/2014 *201400786*Accident Yes - AO-2014-032* near Sydney Aerodrome* NSW* ATR - GIE Avions de Transport Regional ATR72-212A*
Air Transport High Capacity*Passenger* C * CTA
During cruise, the aircraft encountered severe turbulence resulting in a cabin crew member receiving a serious injury. The investigation is continuing.
25/02/2014*201400985*Accident Yes - AO-2014-032* near Albury Aerodrome* NSW * ATR - GIE Avions de Transport Regional ATR72-212A*
Air Transport High Capacity*Passenger* D * CTR
During a post flight inspection, substantial damage to the aircraft's tail assembly was detected. The investigation is continuing.
From this information we can establish that; (a) both events were listed as accidents and; (b) for some strange reason (& unbeknown to the BM reporter & VA spokesman) the bureau has given these (unrelated) events the same investigation number.
{Comment: It is also passing strange that the bureau makes no mention of the PIC's notified bird strike incident}
OK clear as mud so far??
Then we move further down the article to this bit right at the end...
"...
The bureau spokesman in Canberra said a preliminary report would be prepared within 30 days..."
The 30 days passed on the 27th of March apparently without a prelim report being issued...
However if you refer to investigation number
AO-2014-032 you will see that it was last updated on the 25 March 2014. So technically speaking the bureau has come within it's promised deadline of 30 days. What is unclear is how the two occurrences were notified to the required parties (as per Annex 13 para 7.1) and whether there was a Preliminary report issued (to those parties) prior to the 30 days (as per para 7.4 of Annex 13).
Oh well I'm sure it is all above board..
However if that is the case when is the bureau going to make the Prelim report available to the rest of the world??
