Alligator airways operations suspended

[Admin]

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has suspended the operations of Alligator Airways with immediate effect from Thursday 3 May 2012.

 

This action has been taken because CASA believes permitting the Kununurra based Alligator Airways to continue to fly poses a serious and imminent risk to air safety.

 

Both the air operator's certificate and the certificate of approval of Alligator Airways have been suspended. These certificates cover the flying operations and the maintenance activities of Alligator Airways.

 

During 2011 and 2012 CASA served a number of show cause notices on Alligator Airways due to concerns about aircraft maintenance, failure to report incidents, inadequate pilot training records, a deficient safety culture, an inability of key personnel to carry out their safety obligations and key positions unoccupied or not functional.

 

Since the last show cause notice there have been further incidents raising concerns about Alligator Airways’ ability to continue to conduct operations safely.

 

These incidents involved forced landings where CASA believes employees of Alligator Airways were aware of significant defects affecting the safety of aircraft prior to flight.

 

In the circumstances, CASA no longer has confidence in the ability of Alligator Airways to satisfactorily address the safety issues that have been identified.

 

The suspension is in force immediately for an initial five working days, during which time CASA must apply to the Federal Court for an extension of the grounding.

 

If the Federal Court supports CASA's application the court can continue the suspension for a period of time which will allow CASA to complete investigations into the safety matters.

 

Until this suspension, Alligator airways was authorised to conduct charter flights from Kununurra and Broome in aircraft which include a seven seat GA8 Airvan.

 

 

[Gnarly Gnu]

"During 2011 and 2012 the government served a number of show cause notices on CASA due to concerns about ignorance of aircraft maintenance, failure to report internal incidents, inadequate staff training, a deficient staff culture, an inability or unwillingness of key personnel to carry out their obligations and key positions unoccupied or dysfunctional."

 

 

[Guest Howard Hughes]

I see they are advertising on AFAP for a new Chief Pilot. Tough gig.

 

 

[Ultralights]

Had a rethink on my post.

 

 

[Virago]

Must be something in the (Lake Kununurra) water! I seem to recall the same thing happening to Ord Air Charter (Wyndham based ... a stones throw from Kununurra) back around ten or eleven years back. John.

 

 

[kaz3g]

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has suspended the operations of Alligator Airways with immediate effect from Thursday 3 May 2012.This action has been taken because CASA believes permitting the Kununurra based Alligator Airways to continue to fly poses a serious and imminent risk to air safety.

 

Both the air operator's certificate and the certificate of approval of Alligator Airways have been suspended. These certificates cover the flying operations and the maintenance activities .....

As I understand the situation, the decision to suspend, an administrative action, is only reviewable by the Federal Court as to law and not on the merits. The operator can be closed down for an extended period sufficient to destroy the business and yet no charges are filed or heard in a court.

 

Kaz

 

 

[Gnarly Gnu]

Yes that is the scary part, happened to Whyalla Airlines and others. The state decides to bankrupt you.

 

The gall of these people is staggering when you consider how utterly inept and corrupt the federal government itself currently is, no private enterprise could be nearly that bad and survive.

 

 

[J170 Owner]

Hey, what happened to "Ice Pilots" on TV. I was enjoying that!