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Australia’s national transport safety investigator

Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)

Annual Report 2017-18

2017-18 Annual Report released

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its Annual Report, outlining its performance during 2017-18.

Don't push it, Land it

Don't push it, LAND IT

Make an early decision to land your helicopter during the onset of an abnormal situation.

Large ships + little vessels = big trouble

Collisions at sea can endanger the lives of those on board and can cause significant damage to vessels.

Airport Safety Week

ATSB supports Airport Safety Week 2018

The ATSB has joined the aviation industry in supporting Airport Safety Week 2018.

REX Saab 340B landed safely after In-flight loss of propeller, SW of Sydney NSW, on 17 March 2017

In-flight propeller loss

In-flight propeller loss due to fatigue crack. Crew demonstrated high level of professionalism.

Chief Commissioners

ATSB meets with NZ's TAIC

The ATSB recently met with its New Zealand counterpart, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood, with Director of the Australian War Memorial Dr Brendan Nelson AO, and Dr Steven Kennedy, Secretary, Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities

Exhibition of safety investigation memorabilia

A new exhibit installed at the ATSB’s Canberra offices explores the past and present of transport safety investigation.

Beechcraft B200 King Air aircraft, registered VH-ZCR

The importance of following a cockpit checklist

The investigation into the accident of a King Air at Essendon Airport highlights the importance of using a checklist.

Aviation Safety Digest

The 'Crash Comic' now online

Over 150 editions of the iconic Aviation Safety Digest are now available online.

Virgin Australia Boeing 737

Objectivity can reduce risk

Objective interpretation of runway surface conditions can reduce risk.

Cessna C208 registered VH-SJJ

See-and-avoid is a must

Effective see-and-avoid methods avoid traffic conflicts at non-ATC controlled airports.

Bulk carrier, Aquadiva

Understand the plan

Shared understanding of passage plan needed for safe voyage

2017-18 Annual Report released

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its Annual Report, outlining its performance during 2017-18.

Don't push it, LAND IT

Make an early decision to land your helicopter during the onset of an abnormal situation.

Collisions at sea can endanger the lives of those on board and can cause significant damage to vessels.

Airport Safety Week takes off

The ATSB has joined the aviation industry in supporting Airport Safety Week 2018.

In-flight propeller loss

In-flight propeller loss due to fatigue crack. Crew demonstrated high level of professionalism.

ATSB meets with NZ's TAIC

The ATSB recently met with its New Zealand counterpart, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission.

Exhibition of safety

A new exhibit installed at the ATSB’s Canberra offices explores the past and present of transport safety investigation.

Check your checklist

The investigation into the accident of a King Air at Essendon Airport highlights the importance of using a checklist.

Aviation Safety Digest online

Over 150 editions of the iconic Aviation Safety Digest are now available online.

Objectivity can reduce risk

Objective interpretation of runway surface conditions can reduce risk.

See-and-avoid is a must

Effective see-and-avoid methods avoid traffic conflicts at non-ATC controlled airports.

Understand the plan

Shared understanding of passage plan needed for safe voyage

Pitot probe investigation

The ATSB has issued a safety advisory notice to all operators flying to Brisbane Airport.

View all news items

Don't push it, LAND IT

Don't push it, LAND IT

Make an early decision to land your helicopter during the onset of an abnormal situation. Read more on "Don't push it, LAND IT"

- Collision with water involving Cessna 206 floatplane, VH-LHQ, Southport Broadwater, Queensland, on 4 March 2018
  - final report release
  This accident highlights an important safety message about in-depth maintenance inspections, especially where a structure may have experienced excessive loads.
- Collision with terrain involving BK117 helicopter, VH-JWB, near Ulladulla NSW, on 17 August 2018
  - preliminary report release
  Investigators found the helicopter inverted in a clearing with the bucket and longline still attached. The bucket was found caught in trees at the edge of the clearing. The investigation is continuing.
- In-flight engine shutdown involving Airbus A380, VH-OQG, near Los Angeles, United States, on 20 May 2017
  - final report release
  The incident is also an example of effective crew resource management techniques. The flight crew reported that their actions and response, from the initial engine issue when only two members of the flight crew were in the cockpit to the approach and landing with all four crewmembers on the flight deck, flowed very smoothly.
- Runway lighting event involving Beech B200, VH-FDL, Cairns Airport, Queensland, on 11 March 2018
  - final report release
  The incident highlights the need for robust processes to ensure routine tasks, like activation and checking of runway lighting, are carried out.
- Derailment of loaded ore train M03544 near Walla, Western Australia, on 3 December 2015
  - final report release
  This accident shows the importance of early detection, assessment, and effective management of track defects.
- In-flight loss of propeller involving Saab 340B, VH-NRX, 19 km (10 NM) SW of Sydney Airport, NSW, on 17 March 2017
  - final report release
  The ATSB investigation found the propeller separated from the aircraft due to a fracture of the propeller shaft on the right engine propeller reduction gearbox. The ATSB also found the crew responded to the incident with high levels of professionalism and performed a safe single-engine landing.
- Grounding of 'ABFC Roebuck Bay' on Henry Reef, Queensland, on 30 September 2017
  - Interim report release
  The ATSB has released an interim factual report on the grounding of ABFC Roebuck Bay on Henry Reef, Great Barrier Reef, on 30 September 2017. The report is an update on the known facts of the incident following a previous update in November 2017. The investigation is continuing.
- Grounding of the landing craft 'Lauren Hansen', off Melville Island, Northern Territory, on 11 April 2018
  - final report release
  This grounding highlights the importance of ensuring that any problem with a ship’s control system needs to be carefully assessed before the ship committing to sea and the need to consider measures to reduce the risk involved in sailing with a potentially unreliable control system.
- Signal passed at danger by train 2552, Petrie, Queensland on 12 October 2017
  - final report release
  Driving trains is a complex task, particularly during times of critical safety such as restricted signals. Regular activation of any warning system however, increases the risk that it will be acknowledged without consideration of the related hazard.
- Loss of control and collision with terrain involving B200 King Air, VH-ZCR at Essendon Airport, Victoria on 21 February 2017
  - final report release
  The ATSB found that the pilot did not detect that the aircraft’s rudder trim was in the full nose-left position prior to take-off. The position of the rudder trim resulted in a loss of directional control and had a significant impact on the aircraft’s climb performance in the latter part of the flight.
- Derailment of freight train in Devonport, Tasmania on 21 September 2018
  - new active investigation
  The ATSB is investigating the derailment of a freight train in Devonport, Tasmania. At approximately 0900 on 21 September 2018, a freight train operated by TasRail was being loaded with cement, the train departed without any command from the remote driver.
- Reduced braking effectiveness during landing involving Boeing 737-800, VH-VOP, Christchurch New Zealand, on 11 May 2015
  - final report release
  The ATSB’s final report into the reduced braking effectiveness during the landing of a Boeing 737 at Christchurch International Airport in May 2015 highlights the need for objective methods to interpret runway surface conditions.

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