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 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…

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. 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 has added an extra level of assurance to the findings from our earlier drift modelling work,” said Dr David Griffin. “Earlier drift modelling was conducted using replicas of the flaperon found on La Reunion Island. Those replicas had been made…

The ATSB will host a special event Wednesday morning to unveil the propeller of a Supermarine Walrus aircraft generously donated by aviation legend Peter Lloyd, AC OBE MID. Peter will donate this significant piece of Australian aviation history at a ceremony in the foyer of ATSB headquarters at 11 am, AEST, Wednesday 26 April 2017. Attending the event will be: Peter Lloyd, AC OBE MID, President Emeritus and Life Member, Safeskies Australia Mike Mrdak AO, Secretary, Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development Greg Hood, Chief Commissioner, Australian Transport Safety Bureau…

ATSB Investigator Laura Henwood will provide an on-site media briefing at 2 PM (ACST) Thursday, 29 June 2017, at the intersection of Sunnybrae Road and Walker Road, Suttontown, South Australia. Three people died when a SOCATA TB-10 Tobago aircraft, registered VH-YTM, collided with terrain at 10.30 am on Wednesday 28 June 2017. The accident occurred about 3km south-west of Mount Gambier Airport. The briefing will outline the known facts of the accident, the investigation team’s on-site activities and the investigation process. ATSB investigation AO-2017-069 Who:       …

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 damage to the aircraft's tail structure.…

ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood and SA Police Superintendent James Blandford will provide an on-site media briefing at 11 am (ACST) Thursday, 1 June 2017, at the location of the Renmark aviation accident in South Australia. Three people died when a Cessna Conquest 441 aircraft, registered VH-XMJ, collided with terrain at 4.30 pm on Tuesday 30 May 2017. The accident occurred about 4 km west of the Renmark airport. The briefing will outline the known facts of the accident, the investigation team’s on-site activities and the investigation process. ATSB investigation AO-2017-057 Who:…

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 AO-2016-003

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia today confirmed that a large piece of aircraft debris has arrived in Canberra for examination as part of the search for MH370. The large piece of what is likely to be a wing flap was found by locals on Pemba Island, just off the coast of Tanzania, Africa on 23 June 2016. Malaysia and Australia have worked with Tanzanian officials to assume responsibility for the wing flap. Technical specialists from the ATSB are working with Malaysian investigators to determine if it is from the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777,…

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 email ATSBinfo@atsb.gov.au Where: The…