Mr Younis is one of 30 attendees at the ATSB’s Human Factors for Transport Safety Investigators course. The course provides an overview of human factors in safety-critical systems in aviation, marine and rail industries.

“Saudi Arabia is experiencing a period of exceptional growth in aviation,” Mr Younis said. “With this has come responsibilities under the International Civil Aviation Organization.

“In 2013 our Aviation Investigation Bureau (AIB) became independent of our civil aviation authority. A key responsibility as an independent safety investigator is to have the capacity to undertake aircraft accident and incident investigations.

“Since 2013 the Bureau has sought many opportunities to open channels of communication and mean of cooperation and collaboration in relation to aviation safety and accident investigations, both regionally and internationally. My learning opportunity here at the ATSB in Canberra is an example of that and one for which I am very thankful.”

A graduate of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the US and continuing studies of Safety and Accident Investigation (MSc at Cranfield University, UK), Mr Younis spent 27 years with Saudi Arabian Airlines in engineering, training, assessment and inspection positions before moving into Technical Investigation with the AIB. After three years he was appointed Director of Investigations.

The AIB has currently a total of 32 staff responsible for all aviation incidents and accidents. With four international airports and 23 regional and domestic airports, Saudi air travel is undergoing rapid growth which puts more burden on the AIB to promote aviation safety.

“With our responsibilities for investigation, we are committed to outreach with other investigative agencies, regionally and internationally” Mr Younis said.

“We visited the UK’s Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) and the BEA of France in 2013 to benefit from their experience and knowledge as independent investigation authorities. In 2014, we visited the Australian ATSB. In 2015 we went to the Canadian TSB and US-NTSB Boards. And in 2016 we visited Singapore, Russia and China and have developed Memoranda of Understanding with them.

The ATSB is a very well respected authority internationally and our AIB can benefit from an exchange of knowledge and information.

“In 2017, the AIB hosted ICAO/ACAC-MID workshop to enhance the mechanism and set a road map for establishing a regional accident investigation organization comprising the Middle East and North African states.

“Regionally we have ties with both the United Arab Emirates and Morocco. The AIB has a goal to develop an MOU with the ATSB and have opened a dialogue to share knowledge and expertise.

“The ATSB is a very well respected authority internationally and our AIB can benefit from an exchange of knowledge and information.

“We will certainly seek to involve our investigators in further training opportunities with the ATSB and to participate in accident drills and under water search of flight recorders.”

Mr Younis says the AIB has developed service level agreements with Saudi Arabian organisations with facilities that would prove useful in accident investigations. These include the Saudi coast guard, Saudi universities, research centres and other government agencies.

He has enjoyed his time in Canberra and Sydney but will warn future course attendees of the potential for cold in Canberra. “It has been a little cooler than what I expected. I was told maybe 10 degrees minimum,” he said. “It’s been a bit less than that in the mornings. But lovely nonetheless. I have told my wife I would like to bring her to Australia for a holiday in the future.”

An AIC capacity-building program has been in place since 2012 to strengthen PNG's capacity to conduct its own ICAO Annex 13-compliant (or transport safety) investigations.

The ATSB provides technical assistance with funding from DFAT/Australian Aid under the PNG Transport Sector Support Program. A senior ATSB investigator is also deployed to PNG under the program.

The program's focus is shifting to training new investigators to ensure the AIC's medium and long-term capability, and to other forms of institutional strengthening.

Progress under the AIC-ATSB capacity building program means the AIC is being increasingly recognised in the Asia-Pacific as a model for a developing-country transport safety investigation agency.

The Brisbane meeting will provide an opportunity for the ATSB and AIC Commissioners to share views on matters of mutual interest. It's an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences and learn from each other.

The ATSB has a long-standing relationship with the PNG AIC, and has assisted the AIC in a number of significant investigations.

These include the August 2009 Twin Otter crash near Kokoda, which claimed the lives of all 13 on board, and the October 2011 Dash-8 crash near Madang with 28 fatalities.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood accepted the donation on behalf of the ATSB, saying it was a significant piece of Australian aviation history.

“The Supermarine Walrus was a British single-engine amphibious(Opens in a new tab/window) biplane(Opens in a new tab/window) reconnaissance aircraft first flown in 1933,” Mr Hood said.

“It was operated by the Fleet Air Arm(Opens in a new tab/window) and also served with the Royal Air Force(Opens in a new tab/window) (RAF), Royal Australian Air Force(Opens in a new tab/window) (RAAF), Royal New Zealand Navy(Opens in a new tab/window) (RNZN) and Royal New Zealand Air Force(Opens in a new tab/window) (RNZAF).

“It was the first British squadron-service aircraft to incorporate in one airframe a fully retractable main undercarriage, completely enclosed crew accommodation and all-metal fuselage.

Designed for use as a fleet spotter to be catapult(Opens in a new tab/window) launched from cruisers(Opens in a new tab/window) or battleships(Opens in a new tab/window), the Walrus was later employed in a variety of other roles, most notably as a rescue aircraft for downed aircrew. It continued in service throughout the Second World War(Opens in a new tab/window).”

Mr Hood said Peter Lloyd was a champion of aviation safety nationally and internationally for more than a half a century.

“He has made an indelible contribution to aviation safety through his position as President Emeritus and Life Member of Safeskies Australia,” Mr Hood said.

“I’d to thank Peter for his frank and fearless advice to myself and to successive Ministers and Governments on many occasions, and for his generosity in donating this significant piece of Australian aviation history.”

About Peter Lloyd

George Alfred or “Peter” Lloyd as he has become known, was born in Sydney(Opens in a new tab/window) in 1920, and attended Sydney Church of England Grammar School(Opens in a new tab/window), and then the University of Sydney(Opens in a new tab/window).

On 31 May 1940, Peter enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force(Opens in a new tab/window) and served throughout the Second World War. (Opens in a new tab/window)He was assigned to the 2/6th Field Regiment(Opens in a new tab/window) and saw action in the Middle East(Opens in a new tab/window) and New Guinea(Opens in a new tab/window). On 8 March 1945, Peter was Mentioned in Dispatches for gallant and distinguished service in the South-West Pacific.

On his return to Australia, he worked as a grazier and in 1951 was elected treasurer of the Royal Aero Club of New South Wales. He qualified as a pilot in 1955.

In 1957, he became president of the club, a position he held for 10 years, and then again from 1972 to 1974. He built up the club from poor condition to the largest aviation school in the British Commonwealth.

In 1958, Peter became president of the Federation of Australian Aero Clubs, and set about greatly increasing the federation's membership and promoting aviation sports throughout Australia.

Honors

In 1964, Peter was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire(Opens in a new tab/window) (OBE) as president of the Royal Aero Club of New South Wales.

In 1969, he received the Oswald Watt Gold Medal(Opens in a new tab/window)—Australia's highest aviation award. The late Sir  Charles Kingsford Smith won this medal three times.

In 1987 Peter worked personally with Mikhail Gorbachev, the last president of the former USSR, and President Ronald Reagan of the USA and other world leaders to free a teenage German flyer, held after illegally flying to Moscow.

In 1989 he was presented with the FAI Gold Air Medal, the world’s highest and most prestigious civil aviation award. Only two other Australian's have received this honour — Bert Hinkler and Sir Donald Anderson.

Peter was also honoured by the USSR with the Yuri Gargarin Award for services to air sports internationally, aeronautics, cosmonautics, and the cause of world peace.

Peter still devotes extraordinary time and energy as President Emeritus of Safeskies, Australia's international Air Safety Conference.

In the 1990 Australia Day Honors, Peter was made an Officer of the Order of Australia(Opens in a new tab/window) for service to aviation and international relations. In 1992, he was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame(Opens in a new tab/window).

In the 2016 Queen's Birthday Honors, Peter was upgraded to a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), for eminent service to the aviation industry, particularly to the advancement of air safety in Australia, through leading roles with national and international aeronautical organizations, and airport associations.

He has nearly 11,000 hours of flying experience on general aviation and aerobatic aircraft and experience in gliding, parachuting and ballooning.

He is Patron of the Australian and International Parachute Federation and conducted parachute jumps over Canberra on his 80th, 85th, 90th and 95th birthdays.

Dr David Griffin from the CSIRO said the new report features data and analysis from ocean testing of an actual Boeing 777 flaperon.

“Testing an actual flaperon has added an extra level of assurance to the findings from our earlier drift modelling work,” said Dr David Griffin.

“Earlier drift modelling was conducted using replicas of the flaperon found on La Reunion Island. Those replicas had been made of wood and steel, and were designed to float and behave like the original.”

The original MH370 flaperon found on La Reunion is still being examined by the French judiciary. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the USA was able to assist in sourcing a genuine flaperon of the same model. This flaperon was cut down to match photographs of MH370’s flaperon, and then testing was done in the waters near Hobart.

“We wanted to see if the genuine flaperon drifted straight downwind like the replicas, or off at an angle, and at what speed through the water,” said Dr Griffin.

“We’ve found that an actual flaperon goes about 20 degrees to the left, and faster than the replicas, as we thought it might. The arrival of MH370’s flaperon at La Reunion in July 2015 now makes perfect sense.

“Knowing how the flaperon, and the other parts of MH370 that have been found, respond to wind and waves is just as important as knowing the currents of the Indian Ocean.

“We add both together in our model to simulate the drift across the ocean, then compare the results with observations of where debris was and wasn’t found, in order to deduce the location of the aircraft.”

The new report’s findings support the conclusions of the first report. It indicates that the most likely location of MH370 is in the new search area identified and recommended by the First Principles Review report, and most likely at the southern end of that, near 35 degrees South.

“We cannot be absolutely certain, but that is where all the evidence we have points us, and this new work leaves us more confident in our findings,” Dr Griffin Said.

The new report (CSIRO Report 2) and previous report (CSIRO Report 1), which CSIRO produced on behalf of the ATSB, are available on the ATSB’s website.

“We don’t call them drones,” said ATSB investigator Aaron Holman. “Although that’s what lots of people know them as. For us, they’re remotely piloted aircraft or RPA.”

Holman first proposed using RPA in transport safety investigations more than five years ago.

“I envisaged a lot of potential uses for RPA in accident investigation,” Holman said.

“Much of our investigation work requires as complete a picture of the accident as possible. This includes surveying the accident site thoroughly.

“Using RPA has the potential to replace traditional site-survey techniques involving tape measures and compasses. We’ll use them to build a much more complete reconstruction of accident sites, including in 3-D.”

Instructors from Overall Photography provided training, both in theory and practice. Overall Photography has already given courses to forestry, education, and other Government organisations.

Theory covered the core components of RPA operations, aerodynamics, and safety, as well as the importance of weather and airspace considerations, and regulations that cover the RPA in Australia.

“A lot of this was familiar to our investigators,” Holman said. “But it’s very useful to have it put in the context of RPA systems.”

Practical training was conducted on an empty sports field, with a course of coloured cones laid out. A key element of the exercise was working as teams, with a spotter monitoring the surrounding environment while the pilot focussed on the RPA.

“We’re not just using spotters because we’re in an urban situation,” said Holman. “We’re expecting to use RPAs as part of our work health and safety—inspecting sites prior to sending in investigators, so they can evaluate the risks without getting in harm’s way.

“When you’re piloting an RPA, it’s easy to focus exclusively on the device, and tune out what’s going on around you.”

The ATSB investigators were using DJI Phantom 4’s—a type of RPA that the ATSB has already invested in.

“I’m really struck by how easy they are to fly,” said Holman. “There are systems in place that let anyone fly, regardless of any previous flight experience. There’s a lot of automation that makes it easy.”

This ease of use will make RPA very useful for examining points that would be inaccessible for investigators, especially elevated or precarious locations.

“The next step we’re looking at is obtaining an operator’s certificate for the organisation,” Holman said. “And we’ll be codifying in-house procedures and checklists for investigators to ensure that when these aircraft are deployed, it’s done safely and effectively.

“It’s an evolving technology, and it’s evolving fast. Things that weren’t possible a few years ago are now possible, and there’s a lot of potential for transport safety.”

Thor Thormodsson has spent the past eight years travelling the world undertaking safety oversight audits for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The Continuous Monitoring Coordinator from ICAO’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme is a commercial and instrument-rated pilot. He believes his work makes a significant difference to safety, especially in nations with less sophisticated safety oversight.

“What we find is that in some of these countries there might be fewer resources devoted to aviation transport safety,” the former Iceland accident investigator said.

“This can manifest in, for example, a lack of training and documented procedures as well as less robust reporting culture around incidents.

“There is no doubt there are dedicated people working in these places but it is when we identify specific issues, and demonstrate how they can affect safety, that our work makes a difference.”

Based at ICAO headquarters in Montreal, and armed with a technical/business degree from the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the US, Thor lives and breathes his auditing—to the point where he applies it to himself.

A keen footballer for many years before turning to distance running Thor, 53, was keen to take on a triathlon. A full body audit identified major flaws in his swimming.

“You really need to be competent in the freestyle which meant I needed to do a lot of work to get me through a 1500m swim in a Standard distance triathlon which also includes a 40km bike ride and a 10km run,” he said.

“I will put my training to the test in June when I do my first triathlon, back in Montreal.”

In the meantime Thor will complete his ICAO audit of the ATSB and schedule in several other audits, south and north of the equator.

He says his job has taken him to fascinating places, often with customs he feels ‘obligated’ to participate in. On a few occasions, this has resulted in headaches the morning after.

“On the whole, my job is highly rewarding,” he said. “It keeps me in touch with the outside world. I perform an audit, then go back to the country and see significant differences due to the audit findings and safety recommendations.”

Thor, who is on his first visit to Australia, hopes his personal audit will result in similarly positive outcomes in his first triathlon.

Naturally Thor can’t comment on the ATSB audit before it’s completed, but we can be sure it will be used only to further enhance aviation transport safety in Australia.

The ATSB has today released a preliminary report into the in-flight propeller detachment involving a Regional Express SAAB 340 aircraft near Sydney Airport on 17 March 2017.

The ATSB’s inspection of the aircraft identified that the propeller shaft fractured, leading to the separation of the propeller.

An inspection of the propeller at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra revealed a fatigue fracture that began in the propeller mounting flange (the part that attaches the propeller to the gearbox) and continued into the propeller shaft. The inspection also found corrosion near the initiation of the fracture.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood says the ATSB has been working closely with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), SAAB, GE Aviation (engine manufacturer) and Regional Express during the investigation.

“This is the first known critical failure of this type, initiating within the propeller hub flange of the GE Aviation CT7-9B engine,” Mr Hood said.

“Both the operator and the engine manufacturer have already taken proactive safety action in response to the ATSB’s safety advisory notice.

“GE Aviation is conducting metallurgical analysis on the propeller flange and hardware at its laboratories in Cincinnati, USA. They are also inspecting additional propeller gearboxes and reminding all operators to follow maintenance and inspection procedures. GE Aviation will release additional maintenance and inspection recommendations if they become necessary.

“Regional Express has quarantined all propeller gearboxes with propeller shafts of the same series as that installed in the aircraft involved in the incident.”

The ATSB’s ongoing investigation will focus on maintenance procedures associated with the propeller gear box shaft and examine factors that may have contributed to the fatigue fracture at the propeller mounting flange.

Mr Hood says the ATSB will continue to work closely with all involved parties to determine the cause of the propeller detachment.

Read the preliminary report: In-flight loss of propeller involving Saab 340B, VH-NRX, 19 km (10 NM) SW of Sydney Airport, NSW, on 17 March 2017

Suprapto Resorasmin is the Head of the Indonesia’s National Transport Safety Committee (NTSC) Railway Accident Investigation Sub Committee and Riduan Siregar is an NTSC Railway Safety Investigator. Both have professional qualifications in science and engineering and are experienced railway safety investigators.

They are attending a two day Rail Safety Conference 2017 in Brisbane, hosted by the Australian Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board (RISSB). They have spent time with ATSB rail investigators Hans Boon and Jeff Stone and have visited the Queensland Rail Train Control Centre.

The Rail Safety Conference will include a visit to the Queensland Government’s $190 million, state-of-the-art centre at Wulkuraka, west of Ipswich, opened in February 2016. The centre is responsible for the maintenance, service and repair of the New Generation Rollingstock fleet.

ITSAP was developed between Australia and the Government of Indonesia to address key Indonesian transport safety priorities. The main elements of the ATSB's contribution to the program have been to deliver training and support for investigators from the ATSB's Indonesian counterpart agency, the NTSC.

This has included the ATSB providing staff dedicated to various capacity building projects, funding ATSB training courses in Indonesia and Australia, and opportunities for aviation, marine, and rail investigators to work with their ATSB counterparts.

This cooperation between the ATSB and the NTSC is one of the key elements in ensuring lasting transportation safety for the people of Indonesia and Australian travellers to Indonesia.

Three NTSC investigators travelled to Australia last year for placements with the ATSB. Apib Prayogi Aeronautical Engineer, Ucu Suherman, Human Factors specialist, and Andreas Hananto, Flight Recorder specialist all participated in the ITSAP program.

Updated: 23 March 2017

The ATSB investigation into the in-flight propeller detachment involving SAAB 340 VH-NRX, 19 km SW of Sydney Airport, NSW, on 17 March 2017 is continuing.

With assistance from the NSW Police at Bankstown and NSW Police Air Wing, the investigation team yesterday recovered the propeller assembly in bushland at Revesby in Sydney’s South West. ATSB investigators have also interviewed flight and cabin crew.

The team are now:

• consulting with the engine and aircraft manufacturers and the aircraft operator
• reviewing the aircraft’s maintenance requirements and records
• examining the aircraft’s flight data recorder
• examining physical components, including the propeller assembly and engine, in consultation with relevant parties.

Updates will be provided as significant information comes to hand.

A preliminary factual report is expected to be publicly released within a month.

Updated: 22 March 2017

ATSB senior transport safety investigators Aaron Holman (left) and Max Marton with the SAAB 340 propeller that detached from the engine on a Rex flight from Albury to Sydney on 17 March.

The propeller was lifted from its position in bushland near Revesby, south-west of Sydney, to a nearby field using a PolAir helicopter.

It was then transported by truck for storage at a NSW Police Aviation Support Branch facility at Bankstown where ATSB investigators will continue their investigation into the incident.

ATSB senior transport safety investigators Aaron Holman (left) and Max Marton with the SAAB 340 propeller

Source: Australian Transport Safety Bureau

21 March 2017

The detached propeller from the Regional Express (REX) SAAB 340 was located by NSW Police at around noon today.

The propeller was located by NSW Police helicopter PolAir1 in an area of bushland near Revesby in Sydney’s south-west.

The ATSB is now working with NSW Police to recover the 100kg propeller assembly in preparation for examination.

Since the propeller assembly detached from the engine on a flight from Albury to Sydney on 17 March, the ATSB has been calculating its likely trajectory, using data from the aircraft’s flight data recorder. The propeller was located in an area broadly consistent with the ATSB’s calculations.

The ATSB investigation team will examine the propeller assembly to determine the contributing factors that led to its detachment from the aircraft.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood thanked NSW Police for their ongoing cooperation with locating and recovering the propeller.

More information about this incident and the ATSB’s investigation is available on the ATSB’s website.

Link to the PolAir1 vision(Opens in a new tab/window).

Published: 17 March 2017

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating an incident involving a Saab 340, registration VH-NRX, about 19 km from Sydney on 17 March 2017.

It is reported that the right propeller assembly detached in-flight during the Regional Express (REX) flight from Albury to Sydney, with 16 passengers and three crew on board. The aircraft landed safely at Sydney.

The ATSB is deploying a team of three investigators with expertise in materials failure engineering, recorded flight data analysis, and human factors.

Over the next few days, investigators will examine the aircraft, interview the flight and cabin crew, collect maintenance records and recorded flight data.

Important: The ATSB urges anyone who finds a piece of suspected aircraft debris NOT to handle it. Please call the local police or the ATSB on 1800 020 616.

The ATSB has today released a research report into the safety of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) or drones.

The report finds the number of encounters is increasing. While there have been no reported collisions between RPAS and manned aircraft in Australia, and given the variables, the potential consequences of collisions are not yet fully understood.

“Our report seeks to better understand the implications for transport safety associated with the expected continual growth in the number of RPAS in Australia,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood said.

“We expect there could be a doubling in the number of RPAS in Australia by the end of 2017.”

About half of the 180 occurrences from 2012 to 2016 involved proximity encounters with manned aircraft. Over 60 per cent of all reported RPAS encounters (108 occurrences) occurred in 2016 (69 occurrences).

“Based on our knowledge of birdstrikes, RPAS collisions with high capacity air transport aircraft could lead to an engine ingestion in about eight per cent of strikes,” Mr Hood said.

“RPAS also have the potential to damage a general aviation aircraft’s flight surfaces (wings and tail), which could result in a loss of control.

“Similar to the impact from a large bird, collision between a RPAS and a general aviation aircraft’s windscreen poses a high risk of penetration.”

The operation of remotely piloted aircraft requires close monitoring as the popularity of these aircraft continues to rapidly grow.

Read the ATSB research report AR-2017-016: A safety analysis of remotely piloted aircraft systems 2012 to 2016