News Review: Black Hawk BoI report released | ADM Sep 08

Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston in July released the report of the Board of Inquiry into the crash of Black Hawk 221.

On 29 November 2006, an Australian Army Black Hawk helicopter (Number 221) from 171 Aviation Squadron, crashed while operating with HMAS Kanimbla in international waters southwest of Suva, Fiji.

The pilot and one of six SAS passengers died in the accident, which occurred while training to carry out a possible evacuation of Australians from Fiji in the lead up to the military coup there.

The Board was presided over by a civilian President, retired NSW Supreme Court Justice, Hon. David Levine RFD QC.

“The principal and overarching finding of the Board of Inquiry was that the cause of the crash of Black Hawk 221 was pilot error by the aircraft captain,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

“Justice Levine stated that the principal finding, however, could not be viewed in isolation nor blame attributed to a highly experienced and well-respected Black Hawk pilot.

“This accident was the regrettable result of a number of factors coming together which culminated in this tragic incident.

"There was a gradual adoption of approach profiles which, on occasions, exceeded the limits of the aircraft.

"Other factors included a ‘can do’ culture in the Squadron, inadequate supervision, the pressures of preparing for operations, the relocation of the Squadron and a high operational tempo.

“I have agreed to 56 of the 58 recommendations made by the Board.

"These recommendations are all aimed at making Special Operations flying safer.”

These recommendations include regular external auditing of the Squadron to validate flying tactics, techniques and procedures against doctrine and approved flying standards and redesigning the Special Operations approach.

Command and supervision of the Squadron has been strengthened with the establishment of a new Headquarters known as 6 Aviation Regiment.