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…

Our security responsibilities We will ensure that: The data you give us will be safe. Encryption is used to protect the personal information you give us. Your data will be stored at a secure facility. Regular backups of data are performed to ensure it can be recovered in case of a disaster. All access to the system is logged. If any unauthorised behaviour should occur, this will assist us in identifying and resolving the issue. Increasing your safety online Protecting your computer You should: Install and activate security software on your computer. Ensure your security software includes…

Transport Safety Investigation (Voluntary and Confidential Reporting Regulations) 2013 - REPCON Voluntary and Confidential Reporting Scheme for Aviation, Marine and Rail Transport In September 2011 the ATSB sought public comment on a proposal to establish a voluntary and confidential reporting scheme (REPCON) The following documents were released by the ATSB: • Confidential Reporting: Discussion Paper and Explanatory Statement [PDF: 251KB] • Draft Regulations [PDF: 172KB] The proposed Regulations sought to consolidate the existing aviation and marine schemes while…

Subsection 49(2) notice for Incident off Exmouth Western Australia on 30 July 2010 The ATSB received a report that on 30 July 2010, off the coast of Exmouth Western Australia, a seismic survey vessel reported that seismic cables were run over and cut by another vessel.Based on the information available, the ATSB did not conduct an investigation.For the purpose of subsection 49(2) of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003, I declare that any On-Board Recordings (as defined by section 48 of the Act), made in relation to the reported incident, are not to be treated as an OBR on and after 2…

This Plan is made for the purpose of the Information Publication Scheme required by the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act). Introduction The ATSB's function is to improve safety and public confidence in the aviation, marine and rail modes of transport through excellence in: independent investigation of transport accidents and other safety occurrences safety data recording, analysis and research …

OBR ceasing to be an OBR under declaration of the ATSB Section 49 of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 (TSI Act) provides for the ATSB declaring a vehicle's On-Board Recording (OBR) should not be treated as such for the purposes of Part 6 Division 1 of the TSI Act. Note: section 48 of the Act contains a definition for an OBR. Part 6 Division 1 of the TSI Act provides for certain confidentiality protections which must be applied to OBRs.  Where an OBR is declared not to be an OBR, please note that protections other than those in the TSI Act may remain, including under…