The pilot hailed a hero for ditching his plane safely off Norfolk Island this week may have been dangerously negligent after reportedly making the journey without enough fuel.
Captain Dominic James was praised for his "amazing" efforts in saving all six people on board the Pel-Air and Careflight jet on Wednesday night after bad weather thwarted several landing attempts on the island.
The medical evacuation plane, on its way from Samoa to Melbourne, was very low on fuel when Captain James safely landed it onto seas off the island.
But a new report has cast doubt the pilot's heroism with claims Captain James may have taken off from Apia with inadequate levels of fuel to make the journey.
The report on the Crikey website said the plane failed "to meet the requirements of the catch-all section of Civil Aviation Order CAO 82.0 (2.4), which relates to fuel reserves".
The claim could have serious consequences for Captain James and Pel-Air's owner REX, which was recently awarded lucrative medical aviation contracts, the report said.
The carrier has previously admitted the pilot ditched the plane into the sea without making a Mayday call, which goes against aviation regulations.
Earlier this week Pel-Air Aviation chairman John Sharp said he was very proud of Captain James — a former Cleo Bachelor of the Year contestant — and first officer.
"Their professionalism stood out on the day and made a substantial difference to the outcome," Mr Sharp said.
"They executed what would have to be described as a perfect landing on water," he told reporters.
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