The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the Civil
Aviation Safety Authority consider instituting an education program
for the industry highlighting the impending changes to operational
standards to be introduced under Civil Aviation Safety Regulation
(CASR) Part 61 and its associated elements, in order to give
sufficient lead time for early adoption and implementation.
Thank you for providing a copy of Air Safety Occurrence Report
200100252 on the accident involving Bell 206 (Jetranger 111)
helicopter VH-PHG which occurred 3km north of Bencubbin, WA on 16
January 200I with the following Recommendations,
R20010202
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) recommends that the
Civil Aviation Safety Authority review the need to develop and
mandate competency standards for low-level aircraft operations,
Including powerline inspection by helicopters.
R20010203
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the Civil
Aviation Safety Authority consider instituting an education program
for the industry highlighting the impending changes to operational
standards to be introduced under Civil Aviation Safety Regulation
(CASR) Part 61 and its associated elements, in order to give
sufficient lead time for early, adoption and implementation.
CASA agrees with the above recommendations and reiterates our
advice forwarded to the ATSB in our letter dated 29 January 2002 in
response to the draft recommendations. A copy of our letter is
enclosed
29 January 2002
I refer to your letter of 12 December 2001 enclosing a copy Of
draft Aviation Occurrence Brief 200100252, concerning an accident
involving Bell 206 (Jetranger 111) helicopter VH-PGH. CASA has the
following comments on the draft recommendations in the
report,
Draft Recommendation A
CASA should develop and mandate Competency standards for low-level
operations, including powerline inspections by helicopters
CASA agrees and is currently developing appropriate
standards.
Draft Recommendation B
CASA should Institute an education program for industry
highlighting impending changes to operational standards to be
Introduced under CASR Part 61 and its associated elements, in order
to give sufficient lead time for early adoption and
implementation.
CASA agrees and this will form part of the implementation strategy
of proposed Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR) Part 61.
Draft Recommendations C to F
While these recommendations are not directed to CASA, CASA feels
that a further recommendation to the Electricity Supply Association
of Australia Ltd (ESAA) could be included in the report; that
contracts for the supply of powerline inspection services involving
the use of helicopters, specify a requirement for helicopters to be
fitted with wire strike protection systems (WSPS).
CASA notes that no mention is made in the report that the
helicopter was not fitted with a WSPS or of the potential for WSPS
to have mitigated the effects of the accident.
The following letter was sent to CASA on 13 August:
Thank you for your response in your letter BE02/68 dated 01 May
2002 to Air Safety Occurrence Report 200100252 and our
recommendations R20010202 and R20010203.
We acknowledge CASA's agreement with the above recommendations and
look forward to evidence of the undertakings. In the meantime, the
ATSB has placed the response on MONITOR Status:
R20010202
"CASA agrees and is currently developing appropriate
standards"
R20010203
"CASA agrees and this will form part of the implementation strategy
of proposed Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR) Part 61"
In acknowledging CASA's efforts we must however reply to the
statement referring to your letter of January 29 wherein CASA
suggests the ATSB make recommendation to the industry to fit
WSPS.
A telephone conference meeting on the 06 December 2001 was arranged
between CASA in Canberra and the ATSB in Perth and Canberra at
which this and other issues relating to Bencubbin were discussed.
During the telephone conference, CASA made the suggestion noted in
the January 29 CASA letter.
ATSB responded that while discussions with the electricity
association and the electricity company included risk assessment, a
recommendation to the ESAA alone targeted a narrow audience and did
not capture all low level helicopter operations. It was noted that
another helicopter accident investigation also addressed this issue
and would make similar recommendation. R20010083 attached to Air
Safety Occurrence Report 200100443. The safety action in that
occurrence noted that, although CASA implemented training programs
to educate the industry on the hazards associated with low level
helicopter operations since the last recommendation on this
subject, it is believed that WSPS kits may yet be beneficial in
mitigating helicopter wire strike accidents.
It further noted a previous recommendation on WSPS to CASA (then
CAA) in R1 9950120.
The CAA response to recommendation R19950120 was:
"While WSPS may have been of benefit in this and similar accidents,
the Authority believes that the fitment of WSPS should not be
mandatory. However, the CAA is of the view that it should be
strongly encouraged when suitable equipment is available.
The CAA in conjunction with BASI, is prepared to undertake an
industry education program highlighting the hazards associated with
low level helicopter operations as well as the advantages provided
by the fitment of WSPS to appropriate helicopters."
In responding to the latest recommendation R20010083, while CASA
"was sympathetic to the ATSB position" on this equipment, CASA's
position had not changed and CASA would still not mandate WSPS
fitment to helicopters capable of accepting it.
If CASA is now able to reconsider its position on this issue, ATSB
is happy to support your initiative. ATSB recognises that CASA as
the regulator is the body able to mandate the fitment of such
safety equipment. If CASA does not feel able to take this action,
it could perhaps consider encouraging the electricity and wider
industry to adopt the full ATSB recommendations through its
education programs.
Thank you for your letter of 13 August 2002 concerning Wire
Strike protection Systems (WSPS) and related Recommendations.
The Authority notes your comments regarding Recommendations
R20010202 and R20010203 and that you have placed CASA's response to
these Recommendations on MONITOR Status.
CASA will advise the ATSB of the final rules, as they impact on
these Recommendations, developed under Civil Aviation Safety
Regulation (CASR) Part 61.
To encourage the maximum participation of interested parties in the
consultation process for Part 61, the Authority extended the period
for receipt of comments to 31 August 2002 and looks forward to the
consideration of wide ranging views.
The Authority also notes your comments in relation to
Recommendation R20010083, a re-issue of R19950120. However, the
Authority re-iterates its position, stated in our responses of 1
June 2001 and 18 April 2002, that it does not intend to mandate
WSPS.
Notwithstanding this position, CASA has made known the benefits of
WSPS and the dangers inherent in low-level operations. For example,
an article on this subject was published in Flight Safety
Australia, July-August 1999.
In the last paragraph of your letter, you suggest that CASA
"consider encouraging the electricity and wider industry to adopt
the full ATSB recommendations through its education
programs".
Whilst the Authority recognises its broader role, for example the
action set out in paragraph 6, it considers that it is the role of
ATSB to bring its recommendations to the attention of the
appropriate industry associations and for the relevant associations
to take appropriate, responsible action.
Thank you for bringing the matters to the Authority's
attention.
ATSB Note: CASA's intentions and the recommendations will remain in
MONITOR status until completion of the consultation, evaluation and
promulgation phases of the regulatory reform.
200
