There were no formal procedures for the storage and accountability of horizontal stabiliser bungs after they were removed from the aircraft.
By removing the horizontal stabiliser bungs from operational use, the operator has mitigated the risk of a bung going undetected during pre-flight preparations. This action also eliminates the possibility of adverse consequences following the dispatch of an aircraft with the bungs still installed.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that Regional Express Pty Ltd continues reviewing the use of horizontal stabiliser bungs and takes action to address the limitations associated with the current procedures around the storage and accountability of equipment removed from an aircraft.
While Rex accepts the safety recommendations in part, it is our contention that these recommendations do not comprehensively address the primary safety concern related to the initiation of a take-off roll with bird bungs installed. Specifically, Rex is focused on mitigating the risk associated with an aircraft commencing a take-off roll with bird bungs installed.
With this focus, Rex has undertaken a thorough review in response to the safety recommendations, evaluating the risk profile linked to bird nesting at the three airports—Cairns, Townsville, and Mt. Isa— where bird bungs were previously in operation. This comprehensive review aimed to assess the feasibility of implementing additional risk controls to minimise the likelihood of unidentified nesting occurrences at these locations. Additional risk controls include, but are not limited to:
Following this review, the decision has been made to decommission the bird bungs in all 3 ports. This determination is fully endorsed by the Rex Safety Management Group and the Rex Board Safety and Risk Committee.
It is noteworthy that the practical testing of elevator movement with bird bungs installed was not conducted (to our knowledge) by the ATSB as part of their investigation. Rex has consulted SAAB in conjunction with carrying out appropriate testing, results of which further support the outcome of the internal review.
By removing the horizontal stabiliser bungs from operational use, the operator has mitigated the risk of a bung going undetected during pre-flight preparations. This action also eliminates the possibility of adverse consequences following the dispatch an aircraft with the bungs still installed.
