WA helicopter company grounded

A charter helicopter company in Western Australia has been grounded and its chief pilot removed from his position by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

CASA identified safety issues during an audit of Broome Helicopter Services, including poor record keeping, failure to comply with pilot flight and duty limitations, training for pilots, poor airworthiness control, overdue maintenance for aircraft and incorrect load control.

In subsequent reviews, CASA determined the safety concerns had not been adequately fixed.

During investigations last year, CASA learned the company's manager and chief pilot, Joseph Calandra, had directed junior and relatively inexperienced pilots to falsify operational records.

CASA alleges some falsified records relate to a helicopter accident, aiming to prevent the company from being held accountable for non-compliance with safety regulations.

Broome Helicopter Services was given the opportunity to respond to CASA's concerns but the authority found that appropriate changes were not made and so it cancelled the company's air operator certificate.

The company can seek a review in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.