Seven lines of inquiry into crash of Sea King

By Andrew Stackpool

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A team of 13 investigators has been following seven lines of inquiry into the cause of the crash of Sea King Shark 02. These cover operations, engineering, aircraft drive train, mechanical flight controls, medical factors, human factors and cockpit voice and flight data recorders. The Navy has received the first progress report, containing only statements of facts. No specific causes have been detected yet. Investigations continue.

INVESTIGATIONS into the loss of Sea King Shark 02, which crashed on Nias Island on April 2, have not yet found any specific causes, according to investigators. The Navy received the first progress report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Team (AAIT) on May 4.

The team of 13 trained investigators – with various specialist backgrounds from Navy, Army and Air Force – has now returned from Indonesia.

Two scientists from DSTO, an engine specialist from the helicopter’s engine manufacturer and an adviser from the NSW Coroner’s Office provided assistance and support to the AAIT, which worked in consultation with the Air Transport Safety Bureau.

“The team has been following seven lines of inquiry,” Maritime Commander Australia Rear Admiral Rowan Moffitt said.
“These cover operations, engineering, aircraft drive train, mechanical flight controls, medical factors, human factors and the cockpit voice and flight data recorders. They have also combed through the wreckage for evidence that might point to why the crash occurred.”

Work at the crash site had been particularly difficult because of heat, humidity and the site’s isolated location, which could only be reached by helicopter. Temperatures during the day reached 40C.

While working on the aircraft wreckage, team members had to wear full rubber protective suits and respirators to protect them against dangerous contaminants in the wreckage. Generally, they were able to work for about 10 to 15 minutes before they had to rest and rehydrate for up to two hours afterwards.

RADM Moffitt said that no specific possible causes had been detected, and at this stage the team had no evidence to suggest engine failure, collision, weather conditions or human error had caused the accident.

The team had inspected the mechanical flight control run from the cockpit through to the tail rotor gearbox, although part was destroyed by impact or by fire.

“Two components of the flight control run, which are normally connected together, were found to be detached from one another,” he said.

“Several parts of the hardware that normally connects those two items together have not been located.

Investigation is still continuing and the flight controls will be the subject of further analysis.”

RADM Moffitt cautioned against jumping to conclusions based on the investigation to date.

“The report contains only statements of the facts that they have ascertained so far,” he said.

“It does not contain any analysis of the facts, and that will be the subject of their ongoing work. The team still has quite a deal of investigative work to do. Some of that work will involve scientific analysis, simulation and modelling and an intensive examination of records of all types.”

RADM Moffitt has begun the necessary processes to allow the Sea King fleet to fly again, starting with a series of detailed inspections of the aircraft, but has suspended all flying operations for the helicopters.

 

Board of Inquiry set up

GROUP Captain Ian Farnsworth has been appointed to the Board of Inquiry convened to investigate the loss of Sea King Shark 02 on Nias Island on April 2.

Maritime Commander Australia Rear Admiral Rowan Moffitt announced his appointment on May 4. An aeronautical engineer, GPCAPT Farnsworth is the Director Logistics Capability from Headquarters Air Combat Group at RAAF Base Williamtown. He has broad engineering maintenance experience with a variety of aircraft types.

RADM Moffitt said the Board of Inquiry would comprise Commodore Les Pataky as president, Navy helicopter pilot Captain Brett Dowsing, GPCAPT Farnsworth, Army psychologist Lieutenant Colonel Marvin Leavey and civilian aviation expert John Raby. The board is to determine all the facts surrounding the crash “in a very broad sense”.

A small team headed by a senior and experienced lawyer will provide legal assistance and advice to the board, while Comcare will be invited to provide an advisor.

“The Board of Inquiry will have very wide terms of reference,” RADM Moffitt said. “It will be rigorous and thorough because the aim is to establish all of the facts that are relevant to the crash.

“The objective is first and foremost to establish the facts. To do that so that we can do whatever it takes – whatever is necessary – to minimise the risk of something like this happening again.”

The board has begun preliminary work, including interviews in Indonesia of eyewitnesses to the crash, and should start formal hearings within two months.

RADM Moffitt said the hearings would be open to the public, although some evidence may be taken in camera to protect the privacy of individuals and the families of the deceased. Defence would also help the families to engage with the Board of Inquiry process, if they wished to do so.

 

 

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