Operators of BAC 167 Strikemaster aircraft are being urged to check the safety of their aircraft following a Coronial inquest into a fatal Strikemaster accident.
On 5 October 2006, a BAC 167 Strikemaster aircraft broke up in flight and crashed into the Turon State Forest (near Bathurst, NSW) during an adventure flight. The pilot and passenger died in the accident.
Earlier this year, the Office of the NSW State Coroner began a Coronial Inquest into the accident. During evidence at the Inquest, details of the calculation of Fatigue Index (FI) penalties applicable to Strikemaster aircraft was provided.
As a result of this evidence, CASA recently issued an Airworthiness Bulletin (AWB 02-041 Issue 2). The bulletin recommends registered operators and maintenance organisations review the FI records for BAC Strikemaster 167 aircraft and determine if a FI penalty should be applied.
The Inquest is continuing.
The Airworthiness Bulletin is available on CASA's website.
The ATSB investigation report (200605843) into this accident can be found on the ATSB website.