Safety around non-controlled aerodromes
Safety concern
It is difficult for pilots to spot another aircraft through visual observation alone.
The ATSB often receives reports from pilots that another aircraft is flying too close to them in uncontrolled airspace. Not surprisingly, three quarters of these reports involve pilots flying within 10 nautical miles (18.5 kilometres) of a non-controlled aerodrome.
R44 helicopter fuel tanks
Safety concern
R44 helicopters with all-aluminium fuel tanks have proven susceptible to post-accident fuel leaks increasing the risk of a potentially fatal post-impact fire following a collision with terrain.
Maritime pilotage
Safety concern
Navigation through confined waters under pilotage is a high-pressure situation where errors can easily lead to serious incidents.
Marine work practices
Safety concern
The ATSB has investigated several incidents involving unsafe working practices in the maritime industry. These incidents resulted in serious injury or death following falls from height, crushing and equipment that exploded.
General aviation
Safety concern
General aviation pilots continue to die in accidents that are mostly avoidable. The key hazards that the ATSB has found which increase the risk of an accident are:
Marine reporting consultation
New confidential reporting regulations and the International Casualty Investigation Code
The ATSB is inviting comments on two proposed regulatory changes relating to:
- Confidential reporting of maritime safety concerns
- ATSB use of the International Maritime Organization's Casualty Investigation Code
Your comments are sought by Friday, 27 July 2012.
Rail reporting consultation
The ATSB is inviting comments on proposed regulatory changes covering mandatory reporting of accidents and incidents and confidential reporting of safety concerns in Australia.
The mandatory and confidential reporting proposals are a part of the national rail safety reforms. By 1 January 2013, Australia's railways are set to have a single national rail safety regulator (the National Rail Safety Regulator - NRSR) and a single national rail safety investigator (the ATSB).
Your comments are sought by Friday, 27 July 2012.