Material failure analysis
The ATSB maintains in-house capabilities for examining any physical evidence relating to transport safety investigations. Our engineering specialists comprise experts across multidisciplinary engineering fields to conduct forensic analysis of components and structures from aviation, rail and marine occurrences at the ATSB engineering facility in Canberra.
They collaborate with other ATSB investigators, external stakeholders and subject matter experts from similar agencies around the world to provide detailed insight into the complex set of technical factors that contribute to transport safety occurrences.
Data recovery and performance
The ATSB maintains a centre of excellence for aviation, marine and rail data recovery and analysis. Flight data recorders, cockpit voice recorders, quick access recorders, ground proximity warning systems, voyage data loggers and train data loggers can all be downloaded and analysed at the ATSB.
The data from other electronics installed in aircraft, such as GPS, mobile phones and digital cameras, can also be recovered using in-house chip recovery expertise.
Human factors
The ATSB has investigators with qualifications and specialist expertise in the capabilities and limitations of human performance in relation to the design, manufacture, operation and maintenance of products and systems.
Human factors are a core component of every ATSB safety investigation, and this area includes the examination of elements such as decision-making, focus of attention, the role of workload and fatigue management.
Licensed aircraft maintenance engineers
The ATSB employs several investigators with a background as licensed aircraft maintenance engineers to undertake the technical work necessary for investigations into aviation accidents and incidents.
These investigators apply their extensive industry knowledge of systems of maintenance, airworthiness control, repair and overhaul of aircraft structures and systems to identify any airworthiness-related factors that contributed to an occurrence or safety issue.
Site survey
The strength of the ATSB investigation analysis, and its findings, rests on the ability to collect as much data as possible about and from an accident. In addition to the expertise of its investigators, the ATSB utilises technology to collect and process information about accident sites, including laser scanning and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) to produce a range of outputs, including high accuracy accident site maps, 3D models of accident sites and vehicles, and videos to support the investigation team.
Other transport specialists
ATSB investigators come from a variety of backgrounds and have a range of specialist skills, which are combined to ensure investigations are considered from multiple angles. In addition to those mentioned above, specialists on staff at the ATSB include:
- pilots
- aeronautical, mechanical and civil engineers
- ship captains and officers
- ship engineers
- train drivers
- rail signal and system experts
- researchers and safety analysts.
Where specific subject matter expertise does not exist in-house, the ATSB may contract specialist resources. This includes, for example, medical experts in the aviation, rail and marine transport modes.