Media Room: Media Releases

BLACK HAWK 221 BOARD OF INQUIRY ANNOUNCED

Defence today announced the members of the Board of Inquiry (BOI) to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding the crash of an Army Black Hawk helicopter (Number 221) operating with HMAS KANIMBLA off Fiji on 29 November last year.

Tragically, this crash resulted in the deaths of Captain Mark Bingley and Trooper Joshua Porter.

The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, has appointed retired NSW Supreme Court Justice, The Hon. David Levine RFD QC to preside over the BOI.

Mr Levine has had a distinguished legal career. He was admitted to the New South Wales Bar in 1971 and appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1984. He was a Judge of the New South Wales District Court from 1987 to 1992. From 1992 to 2005 he was a Judge of the New South Wales Supreme Court Justice until his retirement.

In addition to the President, the BOI will comprise two Australian Defence Force members, Group Captain Stephen Fielder AM and Commander Andrew Rourke RAN.

Group Captain Stephen Fielder is a former Black Hawk test pilot, bringing to the BOI significant relevant Black Hawk knowledge and experience, and an understanding of ship-borne helicopter operations.

Commander Andrew Rourke has extensive experience in Defence operations, operational planning and exercises.  He was recently the Commanding Officer of HMAS MANOORA, the sister ship to HMAS KANIMBLA.

The primary purpose of the Black Hawk 221 BOI is to determine the facts of the incident so that informed decisions can be made by Defence about any required actions flowing from the findings.

This will be a public inquiry. It will be conducted in an open and thorough manner, however, some aspects of the hearing may be restricted for operational security reasons and the interests of those affected by the Inquiry.

Defence continues to liaise closely with, and provide support and assistance to, the families of Captain Bingley and Trooper Porter.

Planning for the Black Hawk 221 BOI has commenced. Once preliminary administration is complete, Defence will issue further details.

The Terms of Reference and the Instrument of Appointment for the BOI are available at:

http://www.defence.gov.au/boi/blackhawk221/

Media contact:

Defence Media Liaison          (02) 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664

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