Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand
30 May 2006
MEDIA RELEASE
For further information contact:
Bill Sommer Tel:
04 560 9411 or
027 546 8216
Click here for a copy of the Director's Media Conference Statement.
Begins
CAA Already Acting on Air Adventures Issues
The Civil Aviation Authority says it has already moved to address many issues identified in the Coroner's report on inquests arising from the Air Adventure crash at Christchurch three years ago.
The Director of Civil Aviation John Jones says the CAA started reviewing its own procedures and practices immediately after the crash.
"Significant changes have already been made, and further changes will be made before the end of this year," he says.
"We regard the Air Adventures crash as an appalling tragedy that signaled more action was needed to improve safety standards in the general aviation industry.
"At the time it happened, we had just completed the implementation of a wide-ranging change to engage the industry more deeply in the process of regulation and the development of safe practices.
"Since then, the new certification and surveillance processes have been under continuous internal review by the CAA and external review by the Auditor General.
"The Coroner heard a great deal of evidence from witnesses who had not expressed their concerns about Air Adventure to us prior to the tragedy.
"Had we known then what we know now, we would have put this operator under much more intense scrutiny.
"However, there can be no certainty that the tragedy could have been averted even if we had taken stronger steps to enforce safety rules at Air Adventure.
"We had Mr Bannerman's operation under extremely close surveillance during 2000 and 2001.
"In the year and a half prior to the crash, the evidence we had in indicated that Mr Bannerman's safety performance was improving and acceptable - not deteriorating and a threat to aviation safety.
"With all the additional information produced during the inquest and now in the Coroner's report, we have a vastly different insight into Air Adventures and Mr Bannerman than we had before the tragedy occurred.
"We deeply regret that we did not have it earlier, but witnesses came forward to express concerns about the Air Adventures operation after the tragedy who did not come to us with their complaints before it.
"The Coroner has found there was no evidence that any CAA staff member acted other than in good faith in their dealings with Air Adventures and Mr Bannerman.
"Since the tragedy, we have made changes to our practices, stepped up our safety education effort, and we have initiated the process required to change civil aviation rules and procedures in ways that will reduce the risk of an event like this happening again.
"We are pleased that the Coroner acknowledges evidence of an improvement in safety standards over the last three years.
"Accidents per 100,000 flying hours in general aviation have reduced by more than 30%. That is a very significant improvement.
"We recognise it will be scant comfort to the survivors and next-of-kin of those who died in the Air Adventures crash.
"We also believe all aviation accidents are preventable - and that is the goal we are working to achieve.
"We are now urgently examining all the findings and recommendations produced today by the Coroner to see what more needs to be done - beyond the changes we have already made, or have planned.
"More can be done - and more will be done," John Jones says.
Ends