Aviation agencies under fire

PAPUA New Guinea Accident Investigation Commission (AIC) chief commissioner Hubert Namani says relevant state agencies can not effectively carry out search and rescue support in the aviation industry.
Namani made the statement yesterday when announcing the findings of the commission’s investigations into three recent crashes which also examined evidence in relation to post-accident survivability aspects.
He said the investigations include the location of the occupants in relation to injuries sustained and the post-accident search and rescue activities.
The three accidents involved: a Bell 427 helicopter near West New Britain on Aug 11; an Air Tractor AT-502B aircraft in Gulf on Aug 29, and; a BK117 C-1 helicopter near New Ireland on Sept 13. “Each of the investigations found a common significant deficiency in the ability of the state to provide effective and efficient search and rescue support to the aviation industry and the travelling public as required by the Civil Aviation Act 2000 (as amended), Civil Aviation Rule Part 176, and Annex 12 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation,” Namani said.
“On July 9, 2018, the Civil Aviation Minister delegated the responsibility for the establishment of a search and rescue coordination centre (SAR RCC) to PNG Air Services Ltd (PNGASL) on behalf of the state and also issued a directive to PNGASL to operate and maintain the SAR RCC established under Section 8A (1) (b) and (c) of the Civil Aviation Act 2000.”
Namani said with that July 2018 directive, the minister informed PNGASL that he would consult with the Transport and Infrastructure Minister for funding for the RCC and make a submission to the National Executive Council (NEC).
The minister further directed that PNGASL would in the interim bear the cost of establishing the centre.
Namani said nothing had been done to facilitate the support of the centre.