‘Review’ of Rescue 116 findings flies in the face of international practice and will delay vital implementation of safety recommendations, pilots warn.
12 March 2020
The establishment of a Review Board to re-examine ‘certain findings’ of the Draft Final Report of the investigation into the Rescue 116 air accident does not comply with international aviation safety standards the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA) warned today.
Responding to the announcement by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Shane Ross regarding a re-examination of the Rescue 116 Draft Final Report of the investigation into the accident involving Rescue 116 at Black Rock, Co Mayo on 14th March 2017, IALPA president Capt. Evan Cullen expressed concern over the ongoing delay in publishing the findings into the high-profile accident and drew attention to Ireland’s international responsibilities in respect to the publication of air accident reports.
“Ireland has an obligation to publish the final version of an accident investigation report as quickly as possible to ensure that safety recommendations, potentially applicable to search and rescue operations worldwide, are implemented at the earliest possible opportunity.”
“This proposed review will unnecessarily delay the Air Accident Investigation (AAIU) report and any safety recommendations and findings that it may contain. This is vital information which should be put in the public domain without further delay.”
Capt. Cullen said: “This review does not comply with the standards and recommended practices laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Annex 13 of ICAO sets out how States should investigate or delegate the investigation of accidents which have occurred in their territory.”
“For a country to take the unusual step of deviating from ICAO practice it must file a difference to the ICAO Standards and we do not believe Ireland has taken this step.”
He concluded: “It is fundamental that adherence to international obligations regarding aviation safety recommendations should transcend stakeholder concerns over reputation. Prevention of any future accidents demands no less.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
For further information contact media@IALPA.net
About IALPA:
As the representative body for 1,200 professional pilots in Ireland, IALPA’s membership
includes the pilots of CHC.
IALPA’s technical remit includes:
· Preserving the safety and security of crew members and the travelling public
· Representing individual and collective technical concerns of members
· Protecting confidential safety reporting systems, safety reports, and reporters while promoting
a Just Safety Culture
· Participating on technical and safety matters with other pilot and technical representatives at a national level, at a European level through European Cockpit Association (ECA) interactions
with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and at the global level through
International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) input to the development of
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and recommended practices