26 September 2023

ATSB calls for airshow overhaul

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The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has called for an overhaul of airshow approvals and oversight following its investigation into a fatal crash at an Australia Day event in Perth in 2017.

A pilot and passenger were fatally injured when their Grumman G-73 Mallard amphibious aircraft stalled over the Swan River and crashed into the water during the air display, which was part of the City of Perth’s Australia Day Skyworks event.

ATSB Executive Director Transport Safety, Nat Nagy said the ATSB investigation into the accident established that the Mallard was to conduct two circuits over Perth Water, ‘in company’ – that is, following behind at a prescribed distance with a Cessna Caravan aircraft.

”The pilot of the Caravan had previous experience operating in this location, including participating in this air display. Following the Caravan was intended as a risk mitigator against the Mallard pilot’s unfamiliarity with display flying over the Swan River,” Mr Nagy said.

He said that after conducting two passes in company, the pilot of the Mallard received approval from the air display ringmaster to conduct a third pass. The ATSB investigation found that the aircraft stalled at an unrecoverable height.

“Had the Mallard re-entered the display area using the standard procedure for the air display, the manoeuvres required to position for the third pass would have been relatively benign with a significantly reduced risk of mishandling the aircraft,” Mr Nagy said.

“Further, the pilot’s decision to carry a passenger was also contrary to the requirements of the display approval and increased the severity of the outcome.”

He said that since the incident the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) had independently published a revised manual of guidance for air displays.

“While these changes improve existing guidance, we consider that they only partially address the safety issue surrounding air display approval and oversight,” Mr Nagy said.

“Consequently, the ATSB has issued a formal safety recommendation to CASA calling for further improved air display approval and oversight tools and guidance and enhanced procedures to ensure the suitability of air display organisers, coordinators and participants.”

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