Australia's opposition party is calling for a Senate Inquiry into the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) failure to act against Transair before it was involved in the fatal May 2005 Fairchild Metro crash at Lockhart River in Queensland. Late last month, the safety authority cancelled Transair's air operator's certificate due to safety concerns with the company, particularly relating to maintenance.
Australia's Labor Party says CASA knew about Transair's non-compliance with aviation safety regulations as far back as November 2001 and breaches were identified in audits in August 2004 and February 2005. It is asking why CASA failed to act 17 months ago and is calling for a Senate Inquiry into CASA's oversight of Transair and related matters, says the opposition party.
Source: Flight International
