On 26 October 1999, a major airworthiness audit of Whyalla Airlines was performed by CASA, a number of were identified and ‘minor deficiencies’ rectified; By April 2000, towards Kym Brougham had changed. On a CASA’s attitude couple of occasions they had approved his application to act as Chief Pilot in the absence of Mr Usher until, on 10 April 2000, CASA approved his appointment as Chief Pilot notified absences of the Exhibit C97 ‘during substantive chief pilot’. notes: was satisfied that, from all of its observations and involvement with the ‘CASA Manager (Kym Brougham), he had the motivation, ability and intention to avoid the circumstances that led to his chief pilot cancellation and the threat to the (Exhibit C97, p95); company’s AOC.’ On 12 April 2000, the employment of Mr David Usher was terminated. Mr Usher had worked at Whyalla Airlines since its inception in 1990. Upon his termination, Mr Brougham resumed his position as Chief Pilot; Exhibit C97 further notes: had advised the airline of its intention to conduct an annual periodic ‘CASA inspection in May 2000. However, other urgent tasks diverted staff resources within CASA and the inspection had not occurred by the time of the accident on 31 May 2000. (Only three of the seven CASA FOI positions in Adelaide were staffed at that (Exhibit C97, p95) time).’ Following the accident on 31 May 2000, CASA received ‘some anonymous reports’ which caused them to undertake a of Whyalla Airlines between 6 and ‘special audit’ 13 June 2000. The Managing Director, Mr Chris Brougham, had already decided to suspend all flight operations on 1 June 2000, the day after the accident (see Exhibit C74a, page 2). Following the audit, CASA concluded that there were a number of issues which required further investigation: maintenance of accurate flight and duty records; compliance with the flight and duty provisions applicable to the company; company safety culture; keeping of fuel records, charter manifests; and flight crew instrument recency. (Exhibit C97, page 96)
On 26 October 1999, a major airworthiness audit of Whyalla Airlines was performed by CASA, a number of ‘minor deficiencies’ were identified and rectified; By April 2000, CASA’s attitude towards Kym Brougham had changed. On a couple of occasions they had approved his application to act as Chief Pilot in the absence of Mr Usher until, on 10 April 2000, CASA approved his appointment as Chief Pilot ‘during notified absences of the substantive chief pilot’. Exhibit C97 notes: ‘CASA was satisfied that, from all of its observations and involvement with the Manager (Kym Brougham), he had the motivation, ability and intention to avoid the circumstances that led to his chief pilot cancellation and the threat to the company’s AOC.’ (Exhibit C97, p95); On 12 April 2000, the employment of Mr David Usher was terminated. Mr Usher had worked at Whyalla Airlines since its inception in 1990. Upon his termination, Mr Brougham resumed his position as Chief Pilot; Exhibit C97 further notes: ‘CASA had advised the airline of its intention to conduct an annual periodic inspection in May 2000. However, other urgent tasks diverted staff resources within CASA and the inspection had not occurred by the time of the accident on 31 May 2000. (Only three of the seven CASA FOI positions in Adelaide were staffed at that time).’ (Exhibit C97, p95) Following the accident on 31 May 2000, CASA received ‘some anonymous reports’ which caused them to undertake a ‘special audit’ of Whyalla Airlines between 6 and 13 June 2000. The Managing Director, Mr Chris Brougham, had already decided to suspend all flight operations on 1 June 2000, the day after the accident (see Exhibit C74a, page 2). Following the audit, CASA concluded that there were a number of issues which required further investigation: maintenance of accurate flight and duty records; compliance with the flight and duty provisions applicable to the company; company safety culture; keeping of fuel records, charter manifests; and flight crew instrument recency. (Exhibit C97, page 96)
Whyalla%20Airlines.docx