Ombudsman’s Report into RAAF Nomad Crash

Ombudsman’s Report On Nomad Crash A Damning Indictment Of All Concerned

The Commonwealth and Defence Force Ombudsman’s investigation into the adequacy of the RAAF response to the loss of Nomad A18-401 has uncovered a sorry saga of lack of professionalism and recognition of responsibility within the RAAF, ASTA (GAF) and the CAA leading up to the crash. Ombudsman Philippa Smith’s report of the investigation, which is some 20mm thick, presents as a thorough investigation of all the circumstances relating to the loss of Nomad A18-401, and the death of its pilot, Flight Lieutenant Glenn Donovan on March 12 1990. Each link in the accident chain has been clearly identified, which, if it had been broken at that point, would have probably prevented the accident.

Background To The Investigation

The investigation resulted from a complaint by Mr Philip Donovan, the pilot’s brother, that the RAAF had failed to take proper disciplinary action and that its response was deliberately inadequate. In her findings, the Ombudsman found that, among other things:

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