Black Hawk 221 BOI Hearing Of Evidence Concludes

Black Hawk 221 Board Of Inquiry - Hearing Of Evidence Concludes

The hearing of evidence for the Black Hawk 221 Board of Inquiry (BOI) concluded today. The Board will reconvene on Wednesday 29 August 2007 for final submissions from Counsel Assisting the Inquiry and Counsel Representing.

Australian Black Hawk Helicopter

Following final submissions, the Board will retire to consider the evidence and submissions. This will be followed by preparation of the report to the Chief of the Defence Force by 31 January 2008.

The BOI has been established to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding the loss of an Army Black Hawk helicopter (Number 221) operating with HMAS KANIMBLA off Fiji on 29 November last year. Two ADF personnel, Captain Mark Bingley and Trooper Joshua Porter, died in the incident.

Boards of Inquiry are undertaken so that an informed decision may be taken by the Appointing Authority about the action required. This includes where appropriate, action to avoid a recurrence. While the purpose of a BOI is to inform the Appointing Authority, the Inquiry process is impartial and separate from the normal ADF Chain of Command.

The Black Hawk 221 Board is comprised of retired NSW Supreme Court Justice, The Hon. David Levine RFD QC, and ADF members Group Captain Stephen Fielder AM and Commander Andrew Rourke RAN.

ENDS

Background: Black Hawk 221 Board of Inquiry

On 29 November 2006, an Australian Army Black Hawk helicopter (Number 221) from 171 Aviation Squadron crashed while operating with HMAS Kanimbla in international waters south-west of Suva, Fiji.

At the time, HMAS Kanimbla was deployed to ensure the safety of Australians in Fiji if required. The Black Hawk was carrying four crew and six soldiers from the Special Air Service Regiment when it crashed and sank.

The pilot, Captain Mark Bingley, was killed and one of the passengers, Special Air Service Trooper Joshua Porter, was initially missing and presumed dead. Seven other personnel were injured in the incident.

The body of Captain Bingley was repatriated to RAAF Base Townsville and met by his wife and family. An honour guard escorted Captain Bingley's body from a Hercules
C-130 aircraft to a private ceremony.

Following the crash of Black Hawk 221, the Australian Defence Force conducted an extensive search for Trooper Porter.

Trooper Porter's remains were recovered by Defence Maritime Services vessel MV Seahorse Standard on 5 March 2007, using the specialist equipment provided by the United States Navy.

A large portion of the helicopter wreckage was then recovered, including the helicopter's flight data recorder.

Trooper Porter's remains were returned home to his wife and family at RAAF Base Richmond on the afternoon of 13 March 2007 where a military bearer party escorted Trooper Porter's casket to a private family reception.

The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston AO AFC, has appointed a Board of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances of the incident.

The purpose of the Black Hawk 221 Board of Inquiry is to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident and identify any action required including, where appropriate, action to avoid a recurrence.

The Board is presided over by a civilian President, retired NSW Supreme Court Justice, Hon. David Levine RFD QC. The Board also comprises two Australian Defence Force members, Group Captain Stephen Fielder AM and Commander Andrew Rourke RAN.

More information is available at: www.defence.gov.au/boi/blackhawk221

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