The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) improves safety and public confidence in aviation, marine and rail transport through our independent ‘no blame’ investigation of transport accidents and safety occurrences; safety data recording, analysis and research; and influencing safety action through fostering safety awareness. Our aspirational vision is ‘Transport without accidents’. Our mission is to improve transport safety for the greatest public benefit through our independent investigations and influencing safety action. Our organisation …

On 11 July 2017, a SOCATA TB-10 Tobago aircraft collided with an object at approximately 6.30pm during its final approach at Parafield Airport in South Australia. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) commenced an investigation and swabs were taken of the damaged area on the leading edge of the right wing. Those swabs were tested for DNA by the Australian Museum, and the results have established that the object struck was a grey-headed flying fox.  This finding is consistent with the known behaviours of flying foxes, who can travel up to 50 kilometres from their roosts to feed at…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has today released its final report into the reopened investigation of the 18 November 2009 accident involving Israel Aircraft Industries Westwind 1124A aircraft, VH-NGA, near Norfolk Island. The flight, which was conducting an air ambulance flight, took off from Apia, Samoa, bound for Australia, via Norfolk Island for a fuel stop. On arrival at Norfolk Island, low cloud prevented the crew from making a safe landing. After four unsuccessful approaches, and with insufficient fuel to divert to another airport,…

The ATSB has launched an investigation into an accident involving a Cessna 182 light aircraft which collided with terrain in the Herberton Range National Park, Queensland at about 10 am on 8 April. The aircraft took off from Mount Garnet airfield sometime after 9 am, heading for Atherton aerodrome. Any witnesses that observed the aircraft are asked to call 1800 992 986 or complete the ATSB’s online witness form. At this stage, the ATSB is liaising with Queensland Police to determine the accessibility of the accident site. The initial ATSB safety investigation will include examination of…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has commenced a transport safety investigation into the collision with terrain of a Cessna A150 Aerobat two-seat light aircraft at Cedarton, approximately 38 km south-west of Sunshine Coast Airport, Queensland, on Wednesday. The aircraft was hired for a private flight with two pilots on board, and was reported missing after failing to return to Sunshine Coast Airport on Wednesday afternoon. A subsequent search confirmed the aircraft had collided with terrain in bushland at…

ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hoods talks about the traffic management occurrence involving Airbus A320, VH-VQS and Beech Aircraft Corporation BE 76, VH-EWL at Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport, NSW on 14 January 2016. Your browser does not support the video tag. ATSB investigation reports/2016/aair/ao-2016-003/" title="ATSB investigation report AO-2016-003">AO-2016-003

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) today released its second interim report into an incident involving a Virgin Australia Regional Airlines ATR 72 aircraft near Sydney on 20 February 2014. During a flight from Canberra to Sydney, the aircraft sustained a 'pitch disconnect' while descending into Sydney. The pitch disconnect occurred when the two flight crew attempted to slow the aircraft down and inadvertently applied opposing control inputs (one pilot pushed the control at the same time the other pilot pulled), and resulted in significant…

A new Report released by the CSIRO today further confirms the most likely location of MH370 is in the new search area identified by the First Principles Review, conducted in November last year. Report_news.jpg" title="Replica flaperons at sea"/> 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…

Today the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released its report MH370 – First Principles Review and CSIRO’s supporting report The search for MH370 and ocean surface drift. The First Principles Review report summarises the outcomes of a meeting conducted in November and attended by Australian and international experts in data processing, satellite communications, accident investigation, aircraft performance, flight operations, sonar data, acoustic…

The ATSB will tomorrow (Wednesday 22 February 2017) conduct a media briefing on its investigation into the aircraft accident that occurred at Essendon Airport, Victoria. The ATSB’s Chief Commissioner, Mr Greg Hood will discuss factual information known to the ATSB at this time and will outline the investigation process. He will be joined by Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Frewen and Mr Chris Cowan, Essendon Fields CEO. The investigators are seeking witness reports that might assist the investigation. Witnesses can call the ATSB on 1800 020 616 or…