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B412 firefighting helicopter sustained substantial damage during bucketing operations, ATSB interim report details
A firefighting helicopter sustained substantial damage when it unexpectedly lost height when filling its underslung bucket from the Murchison River on Tasmania’s West Coast, an ATSB…
Collision with terrain involving Robinson R44, VH-TCF, 84 km west of Lismore Airport, New South Wales, on 13 March 2026
R44 II, 11912, Helicopter, VH-TCF, Part 91 General operating and flight rules, Destroyed, Robinson Helicopter Co, Tasklake Pty Ltd
AO-2026-067
Cataract NP helicopter accident
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has commenced a transport safety investigation into an accident involving a Robinson R44 helicopter in the Cataract National Park near Tenterfield, NSW. The helicopter, which was operating a private flight from the Gold Coast to Armidale, was reported missing on Friday night and was discovered by search and rescue on Saturday.  ATSB transport safety investigators from Canberra and Brisbane are deploying to the accident site, where they are expected to arrive on Sunday. Over…
Controlled flight into terrain involving a Kavanagh Balloons E240, South Yarra, Victoria, on 15 February 2026
AB-2026-014
Inadvertent restraint release involving Avions Mudry & Cie CAP 10B, VH-YAO, 29 km north-north-west of Edinburgh Airport, South Australia, on 4 February 2026
Parafield Airport, South Australia, Parafield Airport, South Australia, CAP 10B, 266, Piston, VH-YAO, Part 141 Recreational, private and commercial pilot flight training, Minor, Avions Mudry & Cie, Flight Training Adelaide Pty Ltd
AO-2026-066
ATSB releases Coral Adventurer grounding preliminary report
An ATSB preliminary report outlines the order of events leading up to the grounding of the cruise ship Coral Adventurer near a remote…
Loss of control and collision with terrain involving a RotorWay Exec 90 helicopter, near Tamborine, Queensland, on 18 January 2026
AB-2026-008
Collision with terrain involving a Robinson R22 Beta, near Theodore, Queensland, on 24 January 2026
AB-2026-011
Runway incursion and near collision involving Cessna 402C, VH-HMG, and a safety vehicle, at Jandakot Airport, Western Australia, on 3 March 2026
Jandakot Airport, Western Australia, Bunbury Airport, Western Australia, 402C, 402C1002, Piston, VH-HMG, Part 135 Air transport operations - smaller aeroplanes, Nil, Cessna Aircraft Company, Paul Lyons Aviation Pty Ltd
AO-2026-064
Rail investigations in Australia
The ATSB is Australia’s national transport safety investigator. In rail, we collaborate with the Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI) in New South Wales and the Office of the Chief Investigator (OCI) in Victoria for investigations in those States. Ensuring the safety of rail travel is integral to growth in patronage, economic contribution, innovation, and sustained investment. There is a significant public benefit in avoiding rail accidents and incidents (occurrences). The ATSB aims to prevent future occurrences by ensuring lessons are…