Hawkesbury seaplane crash: More than 1000 Australian planes 60 years old
MORE than 1000 planes being used across Australia are more than 60 years old — despite recent warnings from the government’s Transport Bureau that more caution should be taken flying “vintage” aircraft.
NSW
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MORE than 1000 planes that are 60 years or older are still being flown all over Australia despite warnings from the Government’s Transport Bureau that pilots need to be more aware of the risks of “vintage” aircraft.
And a top safety expert claims that in general some companies are “cutting corners” when it comes to safety on older aircraft — with some older planes still containing dangerous components, including wires that have been banned by the US Navy for causing crashes.
The warnings come as a new report published yesterday by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau revealed there have been 341 people killed in aircraft accidents in the decade from 2007 to 2016.
There were more deaths in planes used for private/business purposes than any other aircraft with 122 people killed.
In 2016 alone there were nearly 230 aircraft involved in accidents in Australia, with another 291 aircraft involved in a serious incident.
Separate figures obtained by The Daily Telegraph reveal there are 1080 planes aged 60 years or older in Australia.
Sydney Seaplanes to return to skies with two pilots on every flight
In NSW alone there are 340 aircraft with a date of manufacture earlier than 1958.
Recent ATSB investigation reports warn that pilots need to have better awareness of risks associated with “vintage” aircraft.
It follows the tragic death of a pilot and five passengers on New Year’s Eve in a crash involving a Sydney Seaplanes 54-year-old de Havilland Canada DHC-2.
The same plane was at the centre of a fatal accident in November 15, 1996, near Armidale.
While it is not yet not known what caused the latest crash, there have been safety warnings on the aircraft in Canada where their Transportation Safety Board recommends that stall warning systems be mandated for the model.
It is understood the Sydney Seaplanes plane that crashed did not have a stalling device.
Yesterday the company issued a statement confirming its remaining de Havilland Beaver would be grounded.
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Colin Weir — chief executive of aviation safety audit company Flight Safety — said there was an ongoing issue in the industry where ageing aircraft were not given proper maintenance they required to be safe.
“There are gaps in the system and the investigations we do often reveal deficiencies,” he said.
While not commenting specifically on the Sydney Seaplanes accident, Mr Weir said companies with Regular Public Transport licences were required to adhere to strict standards, but there were fewer rules for those with basic Air Operator’s Certificates.
He said a common problem in aircraft that were older than 34 years included Kapton wires, a part which has been banned by the US Navy after they were found to causes electrical fires.
“In the past 18 months we have uncovered them in five aircraft audits. They are very dangerous and could cause a crash.”
Mr Weir said while the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) “tried their best” to enforce regulations they were “not manned enough”.
Aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas said it wasn’t necessarily a plane’s age that reflected its safety but how well it was maintained.
Minister responsible for aviation Barnaby Joyce was last night seeking advice from CASA on The Daily Telegraph’s inquiries.
Flights return but fateful model grounded
SYDNEY Seaplanes has grounded its existing Beaver aircraft more than two weeks after six people died in one of the Canadian-built planes and yesterday announced the company will take to the skies tomorrow with its more sophisticated turboprop Cessna C-208 Caravans.
The company suspended operations following the New Year’s Eve crash that killed pilot Gareth Morgan and five passengers on the de Havilland Beaver DHC-2 aircraft.
The company’s remaining radial engine Beaver will not operate until findings of a preliminary report into the Hawkesbury River crash are made public later this month.
Instead its two Cessna C-208 Caravan aircraft — known for its rugged utility and flexibility and powerful gas turbine engine — will be flown with two pilots manning each flight. Sydney Seaplanes postponed resuming operations from Rose Bay yesterday due to high winds but hopes to return to business tomorrow.
A statement released yesterday from Seaplane Pilots Association Australia’s vice-president Kevin Bowe read: “Given its long and successful flying history, Sydney Seaplanes is confident there are no systemic failings in the de Havilland Beaver DHC-2 aircraft, the type that crashed on New Year’s Eve.
“However, the company will not be flying its remaining de Havilland Beaver DHC-2 aircraft in advance of the release of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s Preliminary Factual Report.
“Flight services will commence with the company’s Cessna C-208 Caravan aircraft.”
— Danielle Gusmaroli
Press Council Adjudication
The Press Council has decided that an article concerning a United Nations vote by the Australian Government breached its Standards of Practice.
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