The Australian government has launched a Senate inquiry into the administration of the country's aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The inquiry comes as the government is working towards the release of the country's first national aviation policy next year and follows concerns over CASA's performance as safety regulator.
Last year CASA was severely criticised in the final report into the May 2005 crash of a Transair Fairchild Metro 23 at Lockhart River, Queensland - the country's worst aviation accident in nearly 40 years in which 15 people died. In its final report, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau identified CASA as a safety factor contributing to the accident - a statement rejected by CASA at the time. CASA was criticised for poor regulatory oversight and its risk assessment processes, resulting in numerous calls for the government to take a closer look.
The inquiry, to be conducted by the Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport, will assess the effectiveness of administrative reforms undertaken by CASA since 2003 examine the effectiveness of CASA's governance structure and consider ways to strengthen CASA's relations with industry and ensure it meets community expectations of a firm safety regulator. The committee is due to report back on 9 July.
Since the Lockhart River crash CASA has introduced initiatives designed to improve airline safety, including increasing surveillance and oversight of operators, and implementing new education and training for pilots and operators.
Source: Flight International
