Visual flight after last light
Helicopter accident after last light highlights the significant risk of visual pilots attempting to fly in instrument conditions
Australia's national transport safety investigator
News carousel
Unanticipated yaw
Limited consolidation on type, reduced safety margin while operating in performance-limited conditions
Wallan derailment interim
Planned and proposed safety actions outlined in ATSB interim report from Wallan XPT derailment investigation
R44 Safety Advisory Notice
Safety Advisory Notice for Robinson R44 operators and maintainers
Power line survey prelim report
Preliminary report released for Cessna 172 accident during powerline survey
Accurate fuel management
Fuel exhaustion and highway forced landing highlights the importance of accurate fuel management
-
Loss of control and collision with water involving Bell UH-1H, VH-UVC, 5 km south-west of Anna Bay, New South Wales, on 6 September 2019 - Final report
The collision with water of a Bell UH-1H helicopter near Anna Bay, NSW, resulting in the loss of all five people on board, highlights the significant risk of visual pilots attempting to fly in instrument conditions, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation into the 6 September 2019 accident notes.
-
Collision between a light engine and a coal train at Westwood, Queensland, on 18 June 2021 - New investigation
The ATSB is investigating the collision between a light engine and a coal train at Westwood, Queensland, on 18 June 2021. At about 1126 Eastern Standard Time, the light engine struck the stationary coal train.
-
Safeworking Breach near Crystal Brook, South Australia, on 10 June 2021 - New investigation
The protection officer obtained an authority to undertake ultrasonic testing between Crystal Brook and Coonamia. However, the road-rail vehicles on-tracked between Rocky Creek and Crystal Brook, about 3 km prior to where the Authority was to start.
-
Loss of control and collision with water involving Eurocopter EC120B, VH-WII, Hardy Reef, Whitsundays, Queensland, on 21 March 2018 - Final report
The ATSB is reminding helicopter operators about the importance of considering skill consolidation processes when transitioning pilots to a new and technically different helicopter type, and to build safety margins into their operations to give pilots the best opportunity to succeed.
-
Review of aviation safety aspects of aerial firefighting in Australia - Safety study
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is conducting a safety study into aerial firefighting in Australia. A part of the investigation, investigators will conduct a detailed review of recent occurrences to identify common characteristics, obtain aircraft activity data to evaluate the rate of occurrences over recent years.
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.