R44 accident update
ATSB releases Broome R44 helicopter accident update.
Australia's national transport safety investigator
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Near-miss with two trains
Rail safety worker’s near-miss with two trains.
Fan blade failure
Engine fan blade failure leads to enhanced inspection processes.
Perceived partial power loss
Collision with terrain followed perceived partial power loss.
Carbon monoxide in aircraft
Prevent and detect carbon monoxide in aircraft.
Aerobatic flight
Accident highlights the risks of aerobatic flight in a non-aerobatic aircraft and without adequate training.
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Collision with terrain involving Robinson R44, VH-NBY, near Broome Airport, Western Australia, on 4 July 2020 - new investigation
The helicopter was departing from Bilingurr, about 2 km north of Broome Airport, with the pilot and three passengers on board. Soon after lifting off, the helicopter collided with terrain. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured and the other two passengers were seriously injured.
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Pilot incapacitation involving Cessna 208B, VH-DQP, near Brisbane Airport, Queensland, on 2 July 2020 - new investigation
The Cessna 208B was on its flight planned track from Cairns to Redcliffe, Queensland at flight level 110, when the pilot first contacted Brisbane air traffic control. The controller lost contact with the pilot 10 minutes later and the aircraft overflew its planned destination. The controller suspected the pilot had become incapacitated and another aircraft followed the 208B in an attempt to gain contact with the pilot.
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Main rotor blade strike involving Leonardo s.p.a helicopters AW139, VH-EGK, near Caboolture, Queensland, on 20 June 2020 - new investigation
During winching operations, the helicopter's main rotor blades struck a tree. The crew returned to Archerfield, after which inspection revealed substantial damage to all main rotor blades, which were replaced by engineers.
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Unreliable Airspeed Indication involving Pilatus PC-12/47E, VH-OWI, near Albany, Western Australia, on 22 June 2020 - new investigation
During descent, the pilot detected an airspeed mismatch between the pilot and co-pilot primary flight displays (PFD) and elected to return the aircraft to Jandakot.
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Collision with floodwater involving freight train 6792, Little Banyan Creek, Queensland, on 7 March 2018 - final report
A freight train unexpectedly encountered and entered floodwaters across a rail bridge near Tully, Queensland, highlighting the importance of weather monitoring stations at known flood locations being serviceable.
Don't Push It - DON'T GO
Visual flight rules pilots pressing on into instrument meteorological conditions without a current instrument rating carries a significant risk of spatial disorientation due to powerful and misleading orientation sensations with reduced visual cues.
» Disorientation can affect any pilot, no matter what their level of experience.
» Avoid deteriorating weather by conducting thorough pre-flight planning.
» Use a ‘personal minimums’ checklist to help control and manage risk.
» If you become disoriented or lost in marginal weather, seek whatever help is available, including support from air traffic control.