CASA announces details of internal investigation
The Director of Aviation Safety, Mick Toller, today issued details of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) internal investigation into the regulatory processes in relation to Aquatic Air trading as South Pacific Seaplanes.
"The investigation, being conducted by CASA staff not directly involved with this matter, began today and will report on a number of specific questions raised by me," Mr Toller said.
These include the appropriateness of:
- CASA's suspension of the Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) of South Pacific Seaplanes, and subsequent action consenting to the granting of a stay by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), and
- the six conditions imposed by CASA on the operator's AOC, and the actions taken by CASA staff to ensure the company met the conditions and operated in accordance with the law.
"I have also asked the investigating team to advise me if there is an immediate need to change CASA's regulatory practices and procedures," Mr Toller said.
"When I have had an opportunity to consider the report, I will discuss it with the CASA Board and provide a copy to the Minister."
Mr Toller said that in the meantime, CASA is cooperating fully with the Bureau of Air Safety Investigation (BASI) in its investigation of the accident.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Brian Flanagan
Manager, Office of Public Relations
Phone: 02 6217 1015
Mobile 0419 296 446
27 July 1998
Ref: ME9815PR