RNZAF ‘COPTER CRASH REQUIRES COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

New Zealand First is committed to establishing a Commission of Inquiry into the deaths of three RNZAF personnel in a helicopter crash on Anzac Day 2010.

“The recent Coroner’s decision not to hold an inquiry and instead rely on the Air Force’s Court of Inquiry is unacceptable, not least because it cannot be reviewed,” says New Zealand First Transport Spokesperson Denis O’Rourke.

“The Air Force’s inquiry pointed to direct disobedience of orders and other serious shortcomings by Air Force officers, as well as a dangerous culture of risk taking.

“Also, the Air Force sought to sweep aside the fact one of its own most experienced officers, Squadron Leader Russell Kennedy, wrote an accident analysis report which revealed a poor safety record by the Air Force before, and up to, the crash.

“There is very likely to be individual culpability for the deaths of these three young men and the life changing injuries to Stevin Creeggan. This is supported by the decision of the New Zealand Defence Force to plead guilty to the ensuing charges made against it, but this also meant that an independent inquiry into individual culpability was again avoided.

“The Civil Aviation Authority and the (then) Department of Labour both believed that the other of them had responsibility to investigate the crash independently of the Air Force’s Court of Inquiry, so t by the time this was sorted out, the time limit had expired for doing so, and accordingly no inquiry occurred.

“The still grieving families believe justice has not been done and that is why New Zealand First wants a Commission of Inquiry established after next year’s General Election,” Mr O’Rourke says.

Corporal Ben Carson, Flight Lieutenant Hayden Madsen and Flight Lieutenant Dan Gregory died in the crash at Pukerua Bay north of Wellington.

ENDS

© Scoop Media