Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss wants the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) to take another look at the Pel-Air Westwind corporate jet ditching off the coast of Norfolk Island in 2009.
Truss told parliament a review of the ATSB’s investigation of the accident by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) found “there were errors made”.
“I am concerned that the TSB report raises some concerns about the application of ATSB methodologies in the investigation into the ditching of a Pel-Air aircraft off Norfolk Island in 2009,” Truss told parliament in a ministerial statement on Wednesday.
“As a consequence, I have asked the ATSB Commission to give serious consideration to reopening the investigation.
“I have asked that the fresh review of the Pel-Air accident should take into account the findings of the TSB’s report.”
The TSB report, released on Tuesday, said the ATSB did not follow proper process and had poor oversight during an investigation into the ditching.
