‘It shouldn’t be happening’: Whistleblowers concerned over Ambulance Victoria aircraft

An independent audit has been launched after paramedics highlighted safety issues they say are plaguing Ambulance Victoria aircraft.

Ambulance Victoria has commissioned an independent aviation safety audit.

Breathing gear has dropped from the ceilings of ambulance planes mid-air after “alarming” pressurisation check failings.

There have been three such pressurisation incidents aboard Ambulance Victoria aircraft making an ascent since last October.

They were among a litany of safety issues which whistleblowers say are plaguing the service’s fleet of four fixed-wing planes.

Ambulance Victoria sources say the cases were caused by compression instrumentation not being properly set before takeoff.

As planes reach a certain height, the oxygen equipment would drop without those settings being applied because the altitude meant breathing assistance was required.

One paramedic said it was extraordinary to think that there had been three cases in as many months, two in October and another this month.

That officer said he could not remember such issues occurring before and that breathing gear was deployed in two of the incidents.

No one was injured.

One paramedic said what had happened was a symptom of a stretched pilot workforce and had led those who fly to question what other mistakes could result.

“It shouldn’t be happening,” he said.

Paramedics say the fleet’s pilot roster is understaffed, resulting in overwork.

They say the pilots are high-standard operators but their workload means mistakes are inevitable.

“They’re all great people but the demands on their roster are so great. Small mistakes are creeping in. The workforce is concerned a small mistake could become a big mistake,” an officer said.

Multiple sources say it has become difficult to find and retain pilots because of the attraction of better air ambulance pay rates interstate and the lure of commercial work.

At other times, an ageing fleet meant there was a shortage of aircraft because of the number in for mechanical work.

Those sources say that there had been instances in recent weeks where only one plane was available.

“This is the tremor before the earthquake. We’ll have a proper safety event soon,” one source said.

The planes are operated by Pel-Air under contract and there is an agreement for four new models to be supplied by the middle of this year.

AV’s executive director of clinical operations Anthony Carlyon said no mechanical issues have been identified and all four fixed-wing aircraft remained in service.

“Ambulance Victoria takes the safety of our people and patients very seriously,” Mr Carlyon said.

“Any in-flight incidents are reported promptly, in line with protocols to ensure our high standards for safety and service are delivered – and our contracted aeromedical partner Pel-Air conducts maintenance and safety checks on the aircraft after each event.”

Mr Carlyon said Pel-Air had been a respected AV contractor for more than a decade.

He said the organisation worked closely with Pel-Air to ensure it continued to meet the contract requirements, including for the fixed-wing fleet and

pilot availability.

Ambulance Victoria has commissioned an independent aviation safety audit to examine what happened in the pressurisation incidents.

Ambulance Employees Union secretary Danny Hill said the pressurisation incidents had happened at an altitude of about 11,000ft.

Those cases were clearly concerning for his members and any patients on board, Mr Hill said.

Originally published as ‘It shouldn’t be happening’: Whistleblowers concerned over Ambulance Victoria aircraft