Fatigue levels not monitored
Date issue released
Issue number
Issue Status
Closed – Adequately addressed
Transport Function
Aviation: Air transport
Issue Owner
Heston MRO
Mode of Transport
Aviation
Safety Issue Description

Heston MRO did not track the work-related hours of personnel with dual management and operational roles (including the licenced aircraft maintenance engineer) for fatigue calculation purposes. Therefore, there was an increased risk of a fatigue related incident involving those personnel.

Issue Status Justification

The ATSB recognises the safety improvements made by Heston MRO with the implementation of a regional manager that does not include the dual role of the LAME maintenance authority certification requirements. Further, now that Heston MRO is tracking the hours of its entire operational work force in accordance with its policies and procedures, the ATSB is satisfied that the safety issue has been adequately addressed. 

Proactive action
Action number
AO-2022-032-PSA-02
Organisation
Heston MRO
Action Status
Closed
Action description

In January 2024, Heston MRO advised they had taken the following safety action: 

  • They have employed an independent regional manager who will not hold a maintenance authority within the organisation. The intention of the business is to reduce reliance on dual function managers and LAMEs. 
  • There was a policy change that required salaried staff (such as the regional manager/LAME) to supply a timesheet with start and finish times so that accurate fatigue management calculations could be conducted in accordance with the Heston MRO fatigue management framework.