AN airline at the centre of the 2005 Lockhart River air crash has been grounded amid an investigation by the nation's air safety regulator.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority late yesterday ordered Aero-Tropics to stop flying, citing ongoing concerns with the company's safety culture.

CASA spokesman Peter Gibson told The Weekend Post that the grounding could be permanent unless the airline proved it would lift its standards.

"At the end of the day, we don't believe they've got a strong commitment to safety," he said. "Right now, we believe that to allow the company to keep flying is a real risk to air safety."

Aero-Tropics chief executive officer Ric Lippman last night sent a message to his customers saying all flights had been cancelled until the suspension was lifted.

"It is my sincere hope that Aero-Tropics will again resume the safest, most comfortable and reliable air service the Torres Strait has seen in decades," he said in the email which he also sent to The Weekend Post.

Aero-Tropics and Trans Air were operating the Metroliner plane that crashed into a mountain on approach to Lockhart River, killing all 15 people on board, on May 7, 2005.

CASA began investigating Aero-Tropics last September when it issued several show cause notices.

Mr Gibson said the authority was not satisfied with the many of the airline's safety processes, particularly "discrepancies" its training and checking of pilots.

"It's really one of the core safety elements behind any airline," he said.

CASA also was concerned about Aero-Tropics' flight planning and aircraft weight control, he said.

The authority would apply to the Federal Government within the next five days to extend the grounding notice to up to 40 days while it continued its investigations.

Other carriers that flew to Cape York and the Torres Strait had been alerted so they could service the routes.

Cairns Senator Jan McLucas, who successfully lobbied for a senate inquiry into CASA, and Leichhardt MP Jim Turnour said the safety of light planes travelling to remote destinations was paramount.

"The travelling public need to have full confidence in our air safety system so it is important that CASA takes action where it thinks it is needed but this is a matter for CASA and we need to let them get on and do their job," Mr Turnour said.

Shane Urqhuart, whose policewoman daughter Sally was one of the Lockhart River victims, yesterday slammed CASA for acting so slowly against Aero-Tropics.

"I won't shed any tears seeing Aero-Tropics grounded," he said.

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