MAGSPEC Aviation's safety risk management processes did not include a pre‑operational risk assessment that recognised the generic risks and hazards common across that type of operation nor was a risk register maintained. Consequently, there was limited assurance that all the risks had been identified and that all reasonable mitigations had been applied.
MAGSPEC Aviation has implemented a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for geophysical survey operations, which serves as a combined pre-operational risk assessment, risk register, and job specific risk assessment. The SWMS addresses the broader operational risks, including those identified in the ATSB’s investigation. Also, the SWMS requires acceptance of identified risks by an appropriate level of authority and a regular review schedule of those risks has been established. Therefore, the ATSB is satisfied that the development of the SWMS and ongoing review process addresses the safety issue.
Response by MAGSPEC Aviation Pty Ltd
On 28 January 2025, MAGSPEC Aviation advised the ATSB that it disagreed with this safety issue and stated that the job safety analysis (JSA) encompassed a pre‑operational risk assessment, risk register and flight risk management plan. It believed this to be compliant with the risk requirements of Civil Aviation Safety Regulation Part 138 and stated:
This risk assessment was approved by CASA during the 2nd December 2021, Part 91 / 138 AWK [aerial work] changes. It has been accepted and approved by multiple third-parties, including those that represent BARS [Flight Safety Foundation’s Basic Aviation Risk Standard].
ATSB comment
The ATSB acknowledges MAGSPEC Aviation’s response and noted its interactions with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), including the post‑accident surveillance that was undertaken in August 2023, which may have led the operator to believe that its risk management processes were compliant. The ATSB sought clarification from CASA, and on 1 May 2025 CASA advised the ATSB that the JSA did not meet the requirement for a pre‑operational risk assessment or risk register in accordance with Part 138.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that MAGSPEC Aviation Pty Ltd develops and maintains a pre-operational risk assessment and risk register that is separate to its existing job safety analysis process. This should encompass the generic risks and hazards common across its operations and allow it to fully consider operational risks beyond individual survey tasks.
MAGSPEC Aviation accepted the ATSB recommendation and provided an example of its Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS), which had been approved for its Basic Aviation Risk Standard accreditation and had replaced the previously used job safety analysis.
MAGSPEC advised that the SWMS combined a general survey (pre-operational) risk assessment, risk register and job specific risk assessment and served as an all-in-one document available to all crew for each job.
A master copy was used as a template for each survey job and was to be reviewed at the required intervals. The review schedule, including who could authorise the general survey and job specific risk assessments, was written into their Health, Safety and Environmental Management System and is part of their safety management system review audit.
MAGSPEC further advised that the general survey risk assessment included aspects related to other safety factors identified by the ATSB investigation such as protective clothing and helmets, and low-level manoeuvres.
MAGSPEC Aviation’s implementation of a SWMS included a general survey risk assessment, which serves as a combined pre-operational risk assessment and risk register, addressing broader operational risks. The SWMS also includes a job specific risk assessment (equivalent to a flight risk management plan) replacing the job safety analysis. Further, the SWMS requires acceptance of identified risks by an appropriate level of authority and a regular review schedule of those risks has been established. This addresses the safety issue raised by the ATSB.
