REPCON followed up with the operator to ensure that the guidance for flight crews had been provided as advised. The operator advised that it had and that the operations department were asking crews to submit their spare batteries to be reviewed and approved for use.

Readers are also referred to REPCON AR201500050 for a response from Airservices Australia.

As suggested by CASA, REPCON forwarded this report to Airservices Australia and received the following response: In response to a similar concern reported previously [AR201500050], Airservices has established a process to monitor and increase awareness of reported call sign confusion issues. The process involves reviewing the call sign confusion occurrences reported via our safety reporting system and…

Following comments from the Reporter in relation to this REPCON an email was sent to the aerodrome operator with the following comments: I have received a response from my Reporter with a couple of comments which I thought I would pass on in the interests of safety and cooperation at the aerodrome. This is not to apportion blame and from your response to the REPCON, I understand that you have done all the required preparation for the closure,…

After receiving this REPCON the ATSB has reopened this safety issue and the investigation team has been in contact with the operator involved. The ATSB will monitor the outcome of their response to ensure that the safety issue is addressed. 

The ATSB investigates with the sole aim of improving safety. It is not a function of the ATSB to apportion blame or determine liability. ATSB investigations are not the product of an individual. Each investigation is overseen by an investigation team, goes through a through a thorough peer review process and subsequently a review by the team manager, the General Manager and then the Commission. This process ensures that no investigation is significantly biased due to a particular investigator’s background or experiences. As a result of this REPCON report…