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. Twice as many near-collisions are reported to the ATSB where pilots had no prior warning of other aircraft in their vicinity, compared with situations when a pilot received an alert by radio or a traffic alerting system like…

ATSB supplements  January-February R22 drive belt concerns Pilot unknowingly affected by hypoxia Starved and exhausted Investigation briefs Non towered aerodromes an on-going concern REPCON briefs Download ATSB supplement (January-February 2012) [PDF: 1.3MB]   March-April Rare software glitch causes sudden pitch down Buckle up Potentially catastrophic data error Poor fuel management remains a safety risk - Is there enough left in the tank? Your notification improves safety, saves lives Investigation briefs REPCON briefs Download ATSB supplement (March-April 2012) [PDF: 1MB]…

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.   The most common problem associated with these incidents was the fact that the people involved in the task did not properly identify the risks involved before they started the task. Sometimes risk strategies were not implemented, and in some cases, individuals ignored established procedures. To some degree, these incidents involved the people being…

This stage of the consultation is now CLOSED. The new confidential reporting regulations are in the process of being made, with persons or organisations that made submissions informed. Please refer back to the main consultation page for information about the proposed response to the consultation on mandatory reporting. The ATSB is inviting comments on proposed regulatory changes covering mandatory reporting of accidents and incidents and confidential reporting of safety concerns in Australia. Your comments are sought by Friday, 27 July 2012. Mandatory Reporting There are…

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. Confidential Reporting (REPCON) New regulations will replace the existing maritime REPCON regulations creating a multi-modal confidential reporting scheme…

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. Mandatory Reporting…

Create a flight path for Google Earth This software tool lets users create an aircraft's flight path in Google Earth using basic flight data. The ATSB 'KML Creator' uses a spreadsheet of recorded flight parameters (latitude, longitude and altitude) in csv format to create a flight path you can view in Google Earth. The KML Creator can also create a display of other aircraft parameters relevant to the flight on the same screen. The flight can be split into phases differentiated by name and colours. Google Earth Placemarks can be used with the data to identify user-defined important features.…

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: flying lower than necessary experiencing reduced visibility not being aware that the engine fuel supply is not working not recognising the implications of something going wrong. ATSB on YouTube What can you do? Low flight It is necessary to fly low for take-off and landing. The low-flying risks are managed by using circuit patterns at aerodromes, with any obstacles known, so that…

  Safety concern An increasing trend has been identified where pilots mishandle or mismanage their aircraft and flight profile when unexpected events arise during the approach to land. When compared to other phases of flight, the approach and landing has a substantially increased workload. Pilots and crew must continuously monitor aircraft and approach parameters, and the external environment to ensure they maintain a stable approach profile and make appropriate decisions for a safe landing. Unexpected developments, or any confusion about roles or procedures can contribute to decisions…

SafetyWatch is a set of broad safety concerns for the ATSB that have arisen from our investigation findings and from occurrence data reported to us by industry. These priorities highlight safety issues more broadly with the aim of raise heightened awareness from industry and public, and to help guide ATSB decision-making on investigations. Our current SafetyWatch concerns comprise  Reducing the collision risk around non-towered airports Reducing passenger injuries in commercial ballooning operations…