The Directorate of Flying Safety-ADF and the Bureau of Air
Safety Investigation (ATSB) recommends that the Australian Defence
Force in conjunction with Airservices Australia and AusSAR
investigate methods of improving communication links for SAR
operations.
The methods of communication between aircraft are considered
satisfactory. It is considered that the issue in this instance was
related to inappropriate planning, most particularly a lack of
vertical separation between the aircraft in adjacent areas. The
navigation errors that the P3C incurred, which in turn resulted in
the breaking of assigned search area, have been addressed
internally by the RAAF.
Communication between AusSAR in Canberra and locally assigned
Regional Commanders are understood to have been addressed
separately by AusSAR.
As a result of this recommendation, communications have been
included as a standing agenda item for the quarterly meetings
between the ADF and AusSAR.
