Aviation Body Referred to Prosecutors Over Fatal Pilot Licensing Failures

Coroner finds Recreational Aviation Australia improperly issued pilot licenses and withheld key evidence during the investigation into Mathew Farrell's 2022 crash.

• Mathew Farrell, a 42-year-old pilot with limited training, died in a light sports aircraft crash in Victoria's High Country in September 2022.
• Coroner Paul Lawrie ruled that Farrell's recreational pilot license and endorsements were improperly issued by Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus).
• Farrell's training was accelerated, with just 3.6 hours of solo flight time, including 3.3 hours completed in a single day, which the coroner deemed inadequate.
• RAAus was found to have deliberately withheld critical documents and provided false evidence during the coronial inquest, prompting referral to prosecutors.
• The coroner recommended reforms, including oversight of fatal crash investigations by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and stricter licensing standards by CASA.

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