AMSA - AeroRescue Dornier 328 fleet a "mechanical nightmare"

[David Eyre]

From The Australian:

Rescue fleet a 'mechanical nightmare'
Gary Hughes | January 21, 2008

AUSTRALIA'S new multi-million-dollar fleet of search-and-rescue aircraft has been plagued by mechanical problems, often leaving planes unable to respond to emergencies and forcing authorities to call on private aviators to provide urgent help.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau records show the $200million fleet of five twin-engined Dornier 328-100 turbo props was involved in half a dozenmid-air mechanical incidents last year, including four engine failures.

In another incident, one of the Dorniers had to land immediately after taking off from Perth airport after smoke was seen coming out of the aircraft's right side.

The hi-tech Dorniers - hailed by the Howard government as representing a new era in Australia's lifesaving services when the first was commissioned two years ago - have also suffered mechanical problems on the ground, leaving them unable to respond to emergencies.

On New Year's Day, a Dornier based in Perth was grounded with a mechanical failure and unable to respond to an emergency call.

Another aircraft had to be chartered to take its place. The Dorniers, which are equipped with the latest radar, night-search equipment and satellite technology, now need modifications to their doors that require each of the five to be withdrawn in turn from service.

The upgrade will leave only four aircraft available during the next six months to take part in operations ranging from sea rescues to bush searches and efforts to locate missing planes.

There are also concerns that there is not a Dornier based in NSW, resulting in lengthy response times to emergencies, with search aircraft being sent from Melbourne or Brisbane. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority, which operates the five planes, has admitted to "some initial technical issues" with the aircraft,which came into service between October 2005 and February last year.

AMSA said in its annual report, released in September, that the problems had "some impact on aircraft availability".

But it claimed the problems had been "expeditiously resolved" and the aircraft were now operating "within expectations".

Despite the continuing problems, the federal Government has backed the fleet. A spokesman for Transport Minister Anthony Albanese yesterday said: "We are unaware of any problems, and these aircraft are fulfilling contractual arrangements that have been made with the maritime safety authority."

An AMSA spokeswoman told The Australian the Dorniers were "running as normal".

"There are ongoing maintenance issues for all aircraft, so they are not online all the time," she said. "Sometimes they are off having scheduled servicing or training. There's always a back-up tasking (of another charter aircraft) if the Dorniers are unserviceable."

But aviation industry sources have told The Australian that the AMSA's Dorniers have experienced far more mechanical problems than normal, leaving them grounded and "off line" for long periods.

One source said there were "shortcomings" with the Dornier 328s and they were not the best choice of aircraft for the type ofwork for which they were being used.

Another described the Dornier as a "mechanical nightmare".

The Howard government awarded contracts worth $196.5million to AeroRescue Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of the Paspaley Group, in 2005 to provide and fly the five Dorniers.

Prior to creating the dedicated fleet, search-and-rescue authorities relied on independent contractors around the country to help with rescue efforts, and AMSA was credited with co-ordinating the rescue of thousands of people.

The Dorniers are not the first major government purchase to be plagued by problems. The multi-billion-dollar Collins-class submarines are the most notorious to suffer serious teething problems. And there are ongoing dramas with Australia's proposed new military aircraft, the $15.5 billion Joint Strike Fighter.

The Dorniers were purchased second-hand from overseas operators and fitted with a range of hi-tech equipment, including infra-red imaging radar to search at night and satellite communications.

The Coalition government said the Dorniers, which are based in Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin and Perth, would be on 24-hour standby and "ready to fly to an emergency within 30 minutes".

The AeroRescue fleet replaced three previous aircraft charter companies that had provided dedicated twin-engined search aircraft. Some of those companies still provide back-up aircraft when the Dorniers are grounded.

There are concerns within the aviation industry about the effectiveness of the Dorniers.

In one incident involving a missing aircraft in southern NSW last year, a Dornier flown in from interstate spent all night searching unsuccessfully. A local search aircraft found the missing light plane and the bodies of the pilot and passenger within 30 minutes the following morning.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau records show the Dorniers were involved in 17 reported incidents last year. Eleven of the incidents involved safety issues, such as pilots turning on to the wrong course or entering restricted airspace without clearance.

The Paspaley Group did not respond to a request for comment.

Additional reporting: Richard Kerbaj


Regards,
David

[lucky101]

So this is just another typical Pearl Aviation contract..... using cheap old aircraft with no spares and the company not prepared to spend any money on it..... what do you expect????

[Jabawocky]

From an inside source (flt crew)......it might be more a media beat up of some operational facts.

Mountain out of mole hill.

I could be wrong of course:confused:

J

[Icarus2001]

A spokesman for Transport Minister Anthony Albanese yesterday said: "We are unaware of any problems, and these aircraft are fulfilling contractual arrangements that have been made with the maritime safety authority."
Okay, this is code for we have not been told officially that the contract is not being met. The truth is that Aerorescue ARE in breach of their contract.
But it claimed the problems had been "expeditiously resolved" and the aircraft were now operating "within expectations". That is, within the revised/lowered expectations since they simply cannot provide the coverage that is required in their contract.

This mess will blow up in the ministers face if he doesn't jump on it NOW.

[Frank Burden]

Surely just too easy for AMSA to refute. Provide the requirements under the contract and the current daily availability stats. Either that, or the percentage details when the Dorniers were available for tasking within the contracted period.

I am sure that whenever there is a need, an aircraft is found.

Nomadic Frank:suspect:

[Green gorilla]

From myself being at the pointy end I think we are doing a fine job.:)

[gav_20022002]

isnt this state of the art radar only a 160 degree nose mounted one that is shared with the pilots as a weather radar?

[Frank Burden]

To Toecutter Knows, I am sure you are right and agree on the poor standard of journalism with AMSA being able to easily refute the main thrust of it. I guess we need to wait and see what happens next. If nothing, then we have little to make a decision on the 'excellent-average-failing to meet contracted service levels' scale.

Nomadic Frank

[David Eyre]

More on this in The Australian today:

Air rescue group gave to Coalition
Gary Hughes | January 22, 2008

A COMPANY awarded contracts worth $200 million to run Australia's fleet of search and rescue aircraft was a financial donor to the Howard government.

Australian Electoral Commission records show the Paspaley Group, which operates the fleet of five Dornier 328-100 turboprop aircraft through its subsidiary AeroRescue Pty Ltd, donated $265,000 to the Liberal and National parties over six years.

The donations included $90,000 to the Country Liberal Party in the Northern Territory, $85,000 to the West Australian Liberal Party and $60,000 to the federal Liberal Party.

The donations from the Paspaley Group, which is based in Darwin, were made between 1998-99 and 2004-05.

The contracts were awarded to the group in 2004 and 2005.

The Australian revealed yesterday that the five hi-tech Dornier 328s had been plagued by mechanical problems both in the air and on the ground, reducing their availability for search and rescue operations.

There were four mid-air engine failures last year and in another incident, one of the aircraft had to land immediately after emitting smoke on take-off.

On New Year's Day, one of the Dorniers was unable to take off from Perth because of mechanical problems and another search aircraft had to be chartered in itsplace.

AeroRescue was awarded two contracts worth $196.5 million by the Howard government to operate the fleet of twin-engine Dornier 328s on behalf of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

AMSA admitted in its annual report in September that "some initial technical difficulties" with the Dorniers had led to reduced availability, but said these problems had since been overcome and the aircraft were now operating "within expectation".

But aviation industry sources told The Australian that the problems with the aircraft have continued.

The five Dorniers, which are based in Perth, Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane and Melbourne, are undergoing modifications to their cargo doors, which means one will always be out of service on a rotation basis during the next six months.

A spokesman for Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the aircraft had met or exceeded performance levels.

"From the advice that we have received, they are doing the job that they are contracted to do," he said.

"In the past 12 months, they have responded to 630 search and rescue incidents and saved 250 lives."

He said mid-air mechanical failures experienced by the Dorniers had been fully investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

"Incidents were thoroughly investigated and resolved as one-off incidents and quickly rectified," he said. "They don't see a systematic problem here."

The Paspaley Group, which also runs Pearl Aviation, donated $45,000 to the ALP between 1998-99 and 2004-05 as well as $15,000 to individual ALP candidates in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

A spokesman for Paspaley declined to comment yesterday.

The first $24.5 million contract to operate a search and rescue aircraft in Darwin was awarded to Paspaley's subsidiary AeroRescue in November 2004. There were eight bidders, including at least one from an operator already providing search and rescue services to AMSA.

In November 2005, the Howard government announced that AeroRescue had been awarded a $172 million contract to provide a further four aircraft for AMSA.

Regards,
David

[Gordstar]

Interesting stuff isn't it.....
From my position in aviation, I have access to much first hand information, all of which would be rejected by the authorities, but I think it fair to say that the AMSA contract was definitely tainted by political interest, and the best man for the job did not get the contract,,,,,,so to speak.
Lets revisit this one in twelve months time and see where it's at then.
Happy landings.....................................:)

[Stationair8]

Must be a quiet time of the year Mr Hughes, everyone else on holidays and your left in charge?
Perhaps the boys from Pearl should take him on familiarisation flight on a dark stormy night!

[Jabawocky]

What happened to Howards Hughes's post????

I must be dreaming......too much beer can dreaming:}

[FlexibleResponse]

It goes on
The Minister has reported to 250 people being VERY happy with the service due to being helped out in a big way.

But doesn't that statement rather beg the question of the happiness of the number of people that may not have been saved?

Edit. It would seem the poster who uttered the above quoted statement has now deleted his post and gone elsewhere..?

[justfun]

Oops, must have been some mighty painful contract penalties for all that downtime.

[chickendrummer]

They should've given the contract to Surveillance Aus. They had the established fleet, suitably qualified personnel and SOP's in place. They have being doing SAR's for years now so nothing new there either. The issue of dropping rescue equipment could've been solved one way or another.

[Green gorilla]

Nearly all Aerorescue staff are from SA they moved across for better conditions and the roles are different.

[Sarcs]

From what I've heard SA are having enough problems meeting their own contractual obligations! Maybe they might be next for getting the media burner put under them??

[Icarus53]

If the Dornier can't get up - does that mean we have to chuck the raft back in the cabin before going to LDH???:E

[gav_20022002]

so there is no designated search radar ( just one co shared with the piolts for weather and only covers 160 degrees), is it true Aerorescue are still operating under Pearl's AOC and dont have their own? meaning at night and in crap weather ( where murphys law dictates things will go wrong) they have to drop rafts at LSALT? so instead of dropping at 1, 2, 3, 500 they have to drop at 1500 and chances are the cloud will be between LSALT and the ocean/land so u have to drop through cloud?

**not fishing for anything here at all but want to seriously know. i may be completely wrong here and only curious if its true**

[gaunty]

Very very sloppy journalism.

"And you stopped beating your wife ....when??"

[Hans Solo]

Yes Gaunty,
Not only sloppy journalism, but a catalyst for bringing some of those out of the woodwork with an axe to grind.:=

[justfun]

:ugh:Sloppy journalism it may be (or not) but it may be closer to truth than many would wish. It was known that the Dornier ( a great aeroplane btw) would need TLC and preventative maintenance long before the first delivery. If that was trimmed from the budget then lots of downtime is no surprise.:ouch:

[Frank Burden]

Surely Aerorescue has its own AOC? Otherwise, how would they be operating? My guess is that AMSA will be releasing the stats on the availability of the Dorniers on Tuesday to refute the allegations of a lack of contractual performance.

[Shark Slayer]

No it does,nt have an AOC-operated under Pearls and has since start up.

More in Australian today 28th. Mr Hughes reports the DO328 having 69 ADs issued since late 2005. This he compares to the SF340 -6, CASA 212 -3 and the F27 -1.

This bloke does'nt like them at all, what have they done!

[Stationair8]

Perhaps somebody from Aerorescue is sleeping with his wife or girlfriend?

[Justin Grogan]

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,23118604-23349,00.html?from=public_rss

:eek:

[Green gorilla]

Its a problem through aviation lack of qualified engineers.

[Jabawocky]

And how many Boeing AD's and service bulletins etc are there over the last few years.......:ugh:

Not very convincing journalism:=

Who feeds these people?

J:ok:

[Justin Grogan]

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22573367-5014045,00.html

Dunno.....:hmm:

It appears his credibility as an investigative journalist is well established.:uhoh:

[drshmoo]

Are the pilots still jumping off this sinking ship like rats. I remember about a year ago, they had a lot leave due to maintenance and managaement issues. Looks like the whole start up from inception was interesting. Lets hope they get their issues under control and get back to saving lives.

[Green gorilla]

Sounds like Q

[Frank Burden]

Given that AMSA is a public service organisation I thought they would kill this debate with a factual press release. Are we still waiting or did I miss it?:zzz:

[ringin]

Trouble is Bitzer doesn't deal in fact, so it would be a pointless exercise. :E

[Justin Grogan]

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,23154539-23349,00.html?from=public_rss

:eek:

Given that AMSA is a public service organisation I thought they would kill this debate with a factual press release. Are we still waiting or did I miss it?:zzz:

Frank,

Do you really think AMSA is going to enter this 'debate' by any way other than parliamentary process or, sadly, through the Coroners Act after a hull loss (airframes included)?

I would even suggest the former would be pursued by an opposition Liberal Party senate committee with the vigour and probity expected of those charged with finding the guilty party responsible for that choking elevator fart or that reeking dead cat left in your office in-tray by the last incumbent.:hmm:

[tio540]

The original tender contract stipulated "an aircraft currently in production".

Why was this abandoned?

[northern.flyer]

The original tender contract stipulated "an aircraft currently in production".

Why was this abandoned?

Hmmmmmmmm........:hmm: This one was previously posted!!!

But maybe I'm just too cynical!!!:{

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23088306-2702,00.html

[heated ice detector]

I understand the perth based a/c was scheduled to fly in the Australia day airshow, was it cancelled thru other requirements or unserviceabilities.

[northern.flyer]

http://www.perth.wa.gov.au/skyworks/airshow.html


Of the aircraft still available, one was restricted to daylight flying due to a navigation light fault. The other two were subjected to unscheduled maintenance - one to correct a problem with fuel calibration, and the other an issue with an oil leak.


6:55pm in Perth in January - I dont think it was the one with the dodgy nav lights! :hmm:

[Justin Grogan]

From Frank,
Surely Aerorescue has its own AOC? Otherwise, how would they be operating? My guess is that AMSA will be releasing the stats on the availability of the Dorniers on Tuesday to refute the allegations of a lack of contractual performance.

From Sharky
No it does,nt have an AOC-operated under Pearls and has since start up.


http://www.casa.gov.au/casadata/aoc/download/NT411832-17.pdf

Read Condition 1 on the AOC - Dornier operations (read national Tier 1 SAR operations) are dependant on keeping two Check Captains named happy in the service!!:eek: If only one leaves for VB or J* - no Dornier SAR operations permitted under the AOC.

:confused: Also begs the question - Pearl is the operator but was AeroRescue, as the successful tenderer, required contractually to have their own AOC?

[Shark Slayer]

Good question JG, anyone know the answer. I know that SAPL are req to have own AOC seperate from NJS and always have!

[Redflags]

Boy, where have I heard this before?

I tried to warn you guys back in 2007 :ugh:

RF

[Frank Burden]

Does anyone know how the batting is going over the last week? There must be some improvement on the five down out of five last week surely? :sad:

[Sozjot]

Don't forget there was the guy who left Pearl and went to Surv Aust then left them and went to Customs (during the Coastwatch contract bidding period) and then went to AMSA (during the bidding period for that contract) and then went back to Customs after Pearl got the job - talk about revolving daws/doors (sorry, spellcheck unserviceable).

[AerocatS2A]

I think you might have some of that backward Sozjot!

[Sozjot]

No mate - pretty happy I've got it right....

[AerocatS2A]

Edit: Disregard - poor memory for timelines.

[Sozjot]

Didn't say that Aero....All I said was the gentleman in question was positioned into Customs during the contract bidding period (and between you and me was championing Pearl's bid for Coastwatch) and then mysteriously ended up in AMSA with the same working brief - all viewed from the outside of course. Job done at AMSA so back to Coastwatch.......

[Justin Grogan]

I understand there were two contracts awarded by AMSA to the Paspaley Group as AeroRecue, Pearl or whatever.

One was for a King Air based in Darwin (commonly known as the AMSA 1 Contract) and then the Dornier aircraft (commonly known as the AMSA 2 contract).

[Sozjot]

JG, I think the King Air was an interim platform whilst the initial 328 was being resurrected/modified with a forward looking search radar and 360 degree optics turret. IMHO, the additional 328's were a gimme after the initial contract award - only way to make the whole thing work. All the best to the crews doing the job and I hope they save a bunch more people....

[AerocatS2A]

Didn't say that Aero....All I said was the gentleman in question was positioned into Customs during the contract bidding period (and between you and me was championing Pearl's bid for Coastwatch) and then mysteriously ended up in AMSA with the same working brief - all viewed from the outside of course. Job done at AMSA so back to Coastwatch.......

Right, that's what I'd heard as well.

[Frank Burden]

It seems that when one daw closes another opens.:rolleyes:

Still think five aircraft down out of five must be a record for a search and rescue agency.

Pleased someone was not in the water or down in the bush waiting for another less capable aircraft and scratch crew to be found.

Remember reading that the saving of life is time critical.

If it looks like it, smells like it, and tastes like it ... it most probably is!!!

[Edition12]

*Chuckles at Frank Burden*

[Shark Slayer]

JG.

You posted Pearl AOC and the requirement for 2 specified TC to remain employed. You asked what would happen if 1 or both left.

An ex(very recently) Pearl pilot informed me last Friday 8/02/08 that one of the named pilots had left, although he either would'nt say or did'nt know which one!

So if true, what now !!!

[Green gorilla]

He came back :ok:

[Shark Slayer]

So I take it Do328 ops were suspended whilst he was gone?

To not do so would mean operating in contravention of the AOC!

[Green gorilla]

Chucked lots of money at him and he stayed.

[Shark Slayer]

So did he leave and then return or not leave at all - CASA would be interested presumably ! Well who knows ?

[Redflags]

If it's the same TC based in Perth (ex KD FO) then god help you lot. Things must be grim to keep this dangerous C/B pulling guy there and shows how bad things must be. :=

The lastest skipper they employed hadn't flown for 5 years and never a twin turbine especially with crew, my god and you expect these guys to rescue others? who will rescue him? :ugh:

RF

[Fred Gassit]

I think Redflags, the question is, where do we find your circuit breaker?

[Green gorilla]

Think it shows the integrity of the TC if he can pull these types people through the hoops without any problems.:ok:

[Justin Grogan]

:confused:

TC = Type Captain? (I believe there is only one type!) Trainer/Checker?

The only ex Kendalls FO I know in the camp was/is in Darwin. What "C/B"s was he alleged to have been pulling?

[clawmonstar]

RedflagsTC
If it's the same TC based in Perth (ex KD FO) then god help you lot. Things must be grim to keep this dangerous C/B pulling guy there and shows how bad things must be. :=

Sorry Redflags. In a public forum, I wont let your comment about this gentleman go unanswered.

I have known and worked alongside him, on and off, for almost 10 years. He is a professional and highly competent aviator (put to the test more than a few times in front of my own eyes) . Technically well above the average, I would be more than happy to work with and alongside him any time.

[Justin Grogan]

Clawmonstar:ok:

I also know of the Perth based Trainer/Checker and agree with your comments.

It appears the only 'pulling' of anything is being done by Redflags.:rolleyes:

But as for the ex Kendalls FO.............:E

[VH-YES]

Nice one Redie, but I agree with you unfortunately, :ok:

You other people can laugh all you want as I am trust me, unfortunately I have witnessed this act too as I was with him when he DID it! (fact 1)

and yes, he was a ex KD FO! (fact 2) :D

As for the GM going, well this guy was so worried about pilots not knowing where the 'injector pump' was located he couldn't care about pilots pulling CB's like yours truely and others not even knowing EGT limitations. Am I missing somthing here by the way? :ugh:

They just employed a skipper who got lost on a VFR flight at night twice? (fact 3)

OMG, surely there must be some safe pilots left out there? hope the rear-enders have their life insurance policy current



:mad:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Clawmonstar:ok:

I also know of the Perth based Trainer/Checker and agree with your comments.

It appears the only 'pulling' of anything is being done by Redflags.:rolleyes:

But as for the ex Kendalls FO.............:E

[Justin Grogan]

:confused::confused:
So.... Its not the Perth bloke redflags is talking about?

What C/Bs was the ex KD FO pulling and when?

Does your reference to not knowing EGT limitations refer to the two engines getting cooked in flight near Perth last month...or was it April?
I heard the engines were a write off and not insured.:{

Fact 3 - Why NVFR in a Dornier 328?:(

[VH-YES]

Hi Justin Gordie, :ok:

Well, can't say too much about which C/B's were pulled, but what if I were to mention "Landing Gear, Flaps, GPWS" shall I go on you think? It's ok, because CASA are fully aware and to whom did it, hence why I say "fact" instead of ficton.

One has to understand when seeing MWL, MCL & LDG lights flashing RED and Amber all over the place at NIGHT at around 200' before one can really judge what I say. For those who know, please go for it and explain to me "why he did it" to start with - I mean I know why, but why!! After all it's seconds from a crash, not minutes chaps.

EGT Limits, well when one CP quit in disgust, he was challenged by the then smart ex chopper pilot GM as to "why the CP was questioning pilots on limitations" instead he wanted the CP to question on "where is the fuel pump" etc. My god guys, no wonder he left, but then again, he was shown the door (Fact)

If I was a 'rear ender' I'd be absolutely sh-t scared right now. :confused:

I was there when they cooked those engines, guess who was the C&T'er at the time? bingo, 100 pts to that smarty pants :ok:

Chaps, believe what you want, it's not my life I'm worried about :ugh:

VH-Bugger

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

So.... Its not the Perth bloke redflags is talking about?

What C/Bs was the ex KD FO pulling and when?

Does your reference to not knowing EGT limitations refer to the two engines getting cooked in flight near Perth last month...or was it April?
I heard the engines were a write off and not insured.:{

Fact 3 - Why NVFR in a Dornier 328?:(

[Urshtnme]

Jeez you guys can be harsh! I wonder if you'd actually say this stuff to his face and not from the safety of your computers?

It's a small industry and I'm sure the chance will come. Just wish I could be there to see it.

[tail wheel]

Thread becoming far too personal!

:mad: