The ATSB has found that a collision between The Ghan passenger train and a loaded sewage truck occurred when the driver of the truck drove into the path of the train at a private road level crossing at 'Murrow Farm' near Two Wells in SA. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has today released its final investigation report into the collision which occurred on 6 August 2007 seriously injuring the truck driver. At the time of the accident road traffic at the level crossing was controlled by 'Stop' signs. The ATSB found that the truck driver did not stop…

On Friday, 14 November 2008 at 10.00 am AEDT (local time), the ATSB will conduct a media conference to release its preliminary safety investigation Report into the circumstances surrounding the in-flight upset accident of an Airbus A330-303 aircraft near Learmonth in Western Australia on 7 October 2008. When: Friday 14 November 2008 Where: 62 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City ACT (New ATSB Headquarters) Time: 10.00 am AEDT (local time) Ms Kerryn Macaulay, ATSB Director, Strategy and Capability, will present and…

A media conference to release the Preliminary Factual Report on the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the depressurisation 475 km north-west of Manila, Philippines on 25 July 2008, will be held: Friday 29 August 2008 Where: 15 Mort Street, CANBERRA Time: 10:30 am (local time) Mr Julian Walsh, acting Executive Director will discuss factual information known to the investigation team at this time and will outline the investigation process.

On Friday 23 May 2008 at 10.30 am AEST, the ATSB will hold a media conference to release its final investigation Report into the grounding of the Panamanian registered bulk carrier Pasha Bulker on Nobby's Beach, Newcastle, New South Wales on 8 June 2007. When: Friday 23 May 2008 Where: 15 Mort Street, Canberra, ACT (ATSB Headquarters) Time: 10:30 am local time (Australian Eastern Standard Time) Mr Peter Foley, Acting Executive Director, ATSB will present and discuss the findings of the final…

The ATSB has found that a misunderstanding between the master and pilot, and the lack of planning by the ship's crew were contributing factors in the grounding of the Liberian flagged general cargo ship Mellum on 28 September 2004. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation found the master/pilot information exchange was deficient, and that the insets and scales of the navigation chart in use may have contributed to the grounding. At 1124 Australian Central Standard Time on 28 September, the general cargo ship Mellum let go from the wharf at Thevenard and headed to sea with a pilot…

The ATSB has announced that it will refer Lessbrook Pty Ltd to the Director of Public Prosecutions for its failure over several years to report aviation safety occurrences to the bureau as required by legislation. Lessbrook Pty Ltd operates under the name Transair and was the operator of the aircraft in which two pilots and 13 passengers lost their lives on 7 May 2005. Despite the accident, it is only in recent weeks that Lessbrook has provided the Australian Transport Safety Bureau with evidence which our analysis has shown includes 25 safety incidents…

A joint investigation carried out by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the Marshall Islands Maritime Authorities has found that a lack of preparedness, communication and supervision; and the incorrect use of the mooring winch brake were contributing factors in the death of a crew member on board the Marshall Islands flagged ship Probo Bear on 10 April 2006. At 2150 on 10 April, the crew on board the products/ oil/bulk/ore carrier Probo Bear prepared to shift the ship forward, to position its number seven cargo hold under the Groote Eylandt jetty fixed loading boom. The weather was…

An ATSB Research report has found that pilot workload was perceived as being higher, and reported losses of situational awareness were more common, with the area navigation global navigation satellite system [RNAV (GNSS)] approach like the one being flown by the crew of the 15-fatality aircraft at Lockhart River on 7 May 2005, compared with all other approach types except the non-directional beacon (NDB) approach, which involved similar workload and situational awareness levels. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau…

A crew member on board the P&O cruise ship, Pacific Sun fell to his death because his safety harness was not properly secured, according to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau report released today. On 5 February 2006, Pacific Sun berthed at number eight wharf Darling Harbour, Sydney. The quartermaster on the twelve to four watch was assigned to clean rust streaks from the outside of the port bridge wing. At 1205, before the quartermaster started work, the officer on watch checked his safety harness and completed a work permit. The quartermaster…

An ATSB investigation has found that the driver of a motor vehicle who was fatally injured on 11 August 2005 at the Edith Street level crossing in Horsham, Victoria, did not give way to the train as prescribed in 'Road Rules�- Victoria'. The motorist drove into the path of the train even though the level crossing flashing lights and bell were operating correctly. The ATSB's report concludes that it is likely that the driver of the car was distracted by internal and/or external factors. Internal factors may have included an expectation that a train would…