ATSB hands down preliminary report into Pel-Air crash

[markis10]

The report is now out on this - one of the key points was the good briefing prior to ditching having a positive effect on the outcome.

Investigation: AO-2009-072 - Ditching

 

[Quickstatus]

Well the final ATSB report has been released.
Investigation: AO-2009-072 - Fuel planning event, weather-related event and ditching involving Israel Aircraft Industries Westwind 1124A, VH‑NGA, 6.4 km WSW of Norfolk Island Airport, on 18 November 2009

I understand from the report the aircraft had enough fuel to land with the required reserves at norfolk Island NLK if the weather was the same as reported on departure from Apia APW. However there was no requirement to factor in an alternate airport if unable to land at NLK.
In any case, the aircraft would not have enough fuel to arrive at NLK, conduct a missed approach and divert then land at an alternate - either NOU or AKL.
The only way this aircraft could have reached an alternate would be to divert at a point of no return (PNR) to either NOU, NAN, APW. However this requires a decision early before the PNR about the weather at NLK. The alternative would be to build in an intermediate stop at NAN.

My question which the ATSB did not address in its report:
Is it not prudent to factor in an alternate from destination point even if not required by regulations as this flight was not classed as a charter even though it is in reality?
If the aircraft cannot hold fuel for such alternate from destination should not a prudent flight plan have included an intermediate stop say at NAN before NLK or even use an aircraft with the fuel capacity to do so?

Whatever happened, in the end, everyone got out alive.