Mr Smith is possibly correct in his hypothesis that if a transit clearance of WLM airspace was more expeditiously forthcoming, then this accident may not have occurred. However, most professionals in this industry know that the vast majority of major incidents and accidents have several causal factors. They happen when the so called holes in the cheese align. So, this accident probably would not have occurred if:
A WLM transit clearance had been more forthcoming. Does that mean we blame the controllers, the airspace regulators, the airspace architects or government regulations?
The instruments on the aircraft were not faulty. Does that mean we blame the instrument manufacturer or the LAME that maintained them?
The pilot was in less of a hurry and waited for the transit clearance? Does that mean we blame the pilot?
The somewhat high risk flight category of night VFR did not exist. Does that mean we blame the then CAA?
The weather over the Barringtops was not inclement. Does that mean we blame... ummm... God?
Lets put this in context with reference to another disaster. If the KLM crew weren't close to exceeding duty hours, if the KLM aircraft was not blocking the Pan Am aircraft, if the terrorists hadn't detonated a bomb, if KLM didn't refuel when it did, if it wasn't foggy, if the controller wasn't (allegedly) watching the soccer, if the KLM PIC had more line recency rather than simulator recency, if the airport designers had put another parallel taxiway on the other side of the runway, then the deadliest crash in aviation history would probably not have occurred. So who do we blame? Controller, pilot, refueller, terrorist, airport designer, god?
I find it absolutely abhorrent that Mr Smith has singled out one causal factor in the accident of MDX. Where is the discussion about faulty instruments or the validity and safety of night VFR? By his own admission, Mr Smith has been trying to change military airspace regulation and administration for over two decades and is using the tragedy of MDX as a vehicle for this crusade. While I do not necessarily disagree with what he is trying to achieve, using MDX in his campaign is sinking to a new low. Shame Mr Smith, shame.
Edited to add: interesting how Mr Smith's focus is to remove the restrictions on WLM airspace. What about Nowra? Oakey? Richmond? East sale? Amberley? Edinburgh? Pearce? Tindal? Darwin? Or any other military airspace contrained by the same rule? Where do you live again, Dick? Oh right... got it.
Last edited by Mhayli; 3rd Jun 2014 at 11:14.