CASA Media Release - Friday, 26 July 2002
Call for defect reports
The aviation industry is being urged to continue to report major aircraft defects to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
CASA is reassuring people in the aviation industry that defect reports will not be used for prosecution or enforcement action unless there has been wilful negligence.
The call for prompt and accurate defect reporting comes as CASA is streamlining its processes for handling defect reports through the Service Difficulty Report system.
A comprehensive review of more than 5000 defect reports has been undertaken to look for trends in maintenance problems and to generate advice and information for the aviation industry.
CASA’s Director of Aviation Safety, Mick Toller, says the defect reporting system is an important tool in improving air safety in Australia.
“The Service Difficulty Report system is a real partnership between aviation industry people and CASA,” Mr Toller says.
“It is the responsibility of aircraft registration holders, air operators, engineers and maintenance organisations to tell CASA when major defects are found.
“From these reports CASA can then identify national trends and make assessments on the implications of maintenance problems.
“Where needed CASA will then issue advice or directives to the industry on how to deal with these problems or how to avoid defects occurring.
“It is also CASA’s job to notify aircraft manufacturers and aviation regulators in other nations of maintenance issues where appropriate.
“But the key to the success of this system is timely and accurate reporting from people in the industry – reports CASA will use for the benefit of everyone.”
CASA wrote this month to the holders of aircraft registration, certificates of approval and air operators certificates, as well as licensed aircraft maintenance engineers, asking for continued defect reporting.
The Aircraft Defect Reporting page on CASA's web site is at www.casa.gov.au/airworth/SDR/
Media contact
Peter Gibson
ph 02 6217 1015
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: MR0233