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The ATSB is investigating the accident involving cargo ship Tycoon at Christmas Island on 8 January 2012 - updated: 2 February 2012. Read more Chief Commissioner, Martin Dolan expressed congratulations to three Australian Transport Safety Bureau staff members who have been awarded a 2012 Australia Day Achievement Award for their outstanding service. Read more The ATSB is investigating an occurrence involving a Qantas A380 aircraft that experienced an uncontained engine failure over Batam Island, Indonesia on 4 November 2010. The aircraft landed safely in Singapore having returned with the aircraft's No 2 engine shut down. There were no injuries. Updated 19 January 2012 Read more Passengers on board a Sydney-bound Qantas A380 Airbus were reminded of the importance of ‘buckling up’ when the aircraft struck severe turbulence during a flight on 9 January 2012. Read more Check out our latest avoidable accidents booklet on aviation fuel management. Read more
- preliminaryThe preliminary report describes the events leading to the accident involving the Panama-registered general cargo ship Tycoon on 8 January, and outlines the direction the investigation will be taking.
- finalA northbound loaded grain train travelling from Barellan, NSW to Maldon, NSW collided at low speed with the rear of another northbound grain train, at Yass, NSW. The intended operation had been for both trains to wait, one behind the other, on the Down Main line at Yass Junction to enable a third northbound goods train, to pass on the adjacent line.
- finalWhile returning to Moorabbin Airport, Victoria after conducting aerial photography work, the pilot of a Cessna 152 aircraft, VH-KKW, experienced a total loss of power that resulted in an emergency landing approximately 200 m short of the airport.
- updateOn 24 December 2011, an injured canyoner was being retrieved from rugged terrain by helicopter winch. A paramedic was assisting the winch retrieval. During the winching process, the paramedic and the injured man fell some distance and as a result the paramedic was fatally injured. The winch cable was subsequently cut.
- activeOn 8 January 2012, the general cargo ship ship Tycoon broke its moorings while berthed at Christmas Island and contacted the shore. The crew abandoned the ship into Royal Australian Navy ships and there were no reported injuries. The Tycoon was subsequently returned to the wharf and the ship sustained substantial damage during the incident.
- finalThis report discusses procedures that pilots can use before and during a flight to help them be absolutely sure they will have sufficient fuel to land at their destination aerodrome with reserve fuel intact.
- finalA PZL-M18A Dromader (TPE331) aircraft impacted the ground while conducting agricultural spraying operations near Nyngan, NSW. The investigation found that the outboard 1.8 m of the right wing separated from the aircraft resulting in a loss of control and subsequent impact with the terrain. The separation of the right wing section could not be conclusively attributed to any particular factor.
- finalA freight train (4DA2) operated by FreightLink Pty Ltd2 derailed on the Central-Australia Railway line, near Cadney Park, SA. There were no injuries but there was significant damage to rolling-stock and about 300 m of track required replacement. The investigation found that very strong winds associated with a thunderstorm were of a sufficient magnitude to initiate the rollover and subsequent derailment of a group of lightly loaded double-stacked container wagons.
- finalA stevedore was crushed between two containers during loading operations on board the container ship Vega Gotland, while it was berthed at the Patrick Terminals’ Port Botany terminal. The stevedore, who was the lashing team leader, died instantly from the injuries he received in the accident.
- finalA Qantas Airbus A330-303 aircraft departed Singapore on a scheduled passenger transport service to Perth, WA. During the flight, approximately 154 kilometres west of Learmonth, WA, the aircraft suddenly pitched down, due to a combination of problems involving two aircraft systems; the flight control computers and one of the aircraft's three air data inertial reference units (ADIRUs).
- preliminaryAn empty ore train (1901S) travelling on the interstate main line collided at low speed with a grain train (5132S) at Dry Creek in South Australia.
While no one was injured, the ore train's crew cab and the grain train's wagons were significantly damaged as a result of the collision.
- finalThe aircraft was conducting aerial spreading of fertilizer at Wynella Station, 40 km from Dirranbandi, Queensland. At about 1650 EST, the pilot was returning after the completion of an application run when the aircraft impacted the terrain. Wreckage examination did not reveal evidence of any defect or mechanical failure that would have contributed to the event.
- finalThe incorrect entry of take-off weight data that resulted in the tailstrike and runway overrun of an Emirates Airbus A340 aircraft was not a unique event. Similar events continue to occur throughout the world.
- finalFollowing a number of accidents and serious incidents involving Piper Chieftain PA-31-350 aircraft where a failure of one of the engine turbochargers had been central to the occurrence events, the ATSB initiated a safety investigation into the broader issue of PA-31-350 turbocharger operational reliability.
- finalThe 24 reports detailed are compiled from information the ATSB has gathered on the circumstances surrounding the occurrences and what safety action may have been taken or identified as a result.
- activeWhen the aircraft did not arrive at its destination, a search was commenced. On Thursday, 8 December the aircraft was located about 25 km north of Injune in central Queensland which is about 90 km north of Roma.
- updateUPDATE: Inspection of the helicopter established that the loss of main rotor drive was associated with a mechanical failure within the main rotor gearbox. Examination revealed fatigue cracks, corrosion and other effects from moisture.
- finalThe pilot inadvertently entered cloud while operating a visual flight rules charter flight from Parramatta, NSW with five passengers on board. The investigation found that decisions were made that did not adequately address the risk of visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions.
- activeThe ATSB is investigating a smoke event that occurred on a Rex Airlines aircraft on Friday, 25 November 2011. The incident occurred after the aircraft, a SAAB 340B, had landed at Sydney Airport. A passenger's mobile phone, an Apple iPhone, began to emit both heat and smoke.
- finalThe investigation determined that the accident was probably due to fuel exhaustion. The circumstances of the accident highlight the importance of pilots and operators independently verifying fuel quantity in their aircraft's tanks.
- finalThis report documents and analyses safety issues and safety actions and explores the risk levels assigned to them to provide an understanding of where the greatest risks appear to lie.
- preliminaryFollowing an aborted landing attempt the Cheetah Sierra 200 aircraft collided with a Ferris wheel located to the south of the Old Bar airstrip. The Ferris wheel was part of a beach festival and, at the time of the collision, there were four people on the Ferris wheel.
- finalThe electrical engineer on board the Spirit of Tasmania I fell through an opening in a catwalk between two of the ship's main engines. He was treated on board and later taken to hospital. Crew members should always take a few moments to survey their surroundings and consider the risks.
- finalA southbound Port Kembla to Parkes empty bulk grain train experienced a train parting event after crossing a series of mud holes near Gunning, NSW.
- finalFreight train 3SP7 collided with a road-rail vehicle in western NSW. The road-rail vehicle, a Toyota Landcruiser station wagon, was extensively damaged. The lead locomotive of the train incurred minor damage and continued through to Port Augusta en route to Perth. There were no injuries and no damage to fixed infrastructure.
- activeA crew member fell overboard from the container ship MSC Siena, off Fremantle, WA. The man had been rigging a pilot ladder when the accident occurred. The lifejacket that the man had been wearing, his boots and lifebuoys deployed from the ship were found during the extensive search but his body was not recovered.
- finalDuring a scenic charter flight and while operating at low level, the pilot of a Kavanagh Balloons E‑210 hot-air balloon, was unable to arrest the balloon's descent and initiate a climb in time to avoid powerlines, requiring an emergency descent and landing. The balloon landed hard in a paddock with the basket not orientated correctly to the direction of flight. It bounced, dragged and inverted along a distance of 60 m, resulting in injuries to the occupants.
- finalThe R44 helicopter with a pilot and one passenger on board, collided with the sea off Lilli Pilli Bay, NSW. The helicopter was being flown after last light when the accident occurred. The pilot was not approved, nor was the helicopter equipped, to fly at night. The accident provides a timely reminder of the importance of appropriate flight planning and informed in-flight decision making.
- finalA Pilatus PC-12 aircraft was being operated on a night medical evacuation flight from Derby to Kununurra with four persons on board. About 56 km after takeoff, the engine exhibited a number of problems before the pilot turned the aircraft back to the departure airport. The engine failed and the pilot glided the aircraft to land at Derby.
- finalPacks of timber veneer were lost overboard from the deck of the Panama registered multipurpose cargo ship Mimasaka due to lack of proper cargo stowage and securing instructions.
- finalThe helicopter was engaged in aerial firefighting operations at about 200 ft above ground level when the nose of the helicopter unexpectedly yawed to the right. The pilot guided the helicopter to a less-timbered area for an emergency landing however, the helicopter descended into trees. The pilot was seriously injured.
- finalThis report tables rail safety occurrence data by state and territory between 1 January 2001 and 30 June 2011. Data is adjusted biannually to reflect new information that comes to light during the reporting period.
- prelimThe Eurocopter helicopter, with a pilot and two passengers on board, collided with terrain on approach to land at a site located on Double Mountain South, Queensland. The pilot and front seat passenger were fatally injured and the rear seat passenger received serious injuries.
- finalThe pilot was assisting with the location of horses and was seen manoeuvring at low level before radio and visual contact was lost. Both occupants were killed.
- activeAt about 0545 on 23 October 2011 train 7SP5, travelling on the interstate main rail line, derailed at Wirrinya NSW. No person was injured but there was significant damage to rolling stock and infrastructure.
- finalFifteen wagons on freight train 3PW4 derailed near Wodonga, Victoria. There were no injuries but serious damage to rolling-stock and rail track. The investigation concluded that an axle bearing seized.
- finalThe go-around was initiated due to the crew becoming aware that the aircraft was not properly configured for landing. Almost simultaneously, the 'Too Low Gear' automated warning activated.
- updateThe ATSB is supporting the Accident Investigation Commission of Papua New Guinea (AIC) in its investigation of the accident that occurred near Madang, PNG on 13 October 2011 and involved Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft.
- activeATSB investigates explosion on wood chip bulk carrier Universal Gloria, off Eden, NSW. Crew member seriously burnt.
