Flying at night in remote areas without sufficient visual cues continues to be one of the most dangerous forms of flying, as evidenced by a recent fatal accident in Western Australia’s Kimberley region. An ATSB investigation into the accident found the pilot of an R22 helicopter, who did not hold a night visual flight rules (VFR) rating or instrument rating, continued flying after last light to try to reach Springvale station. The lack of local ground lighting on a moonless night meant the pilot had no visual cues to know exactly where the   helicopter was going or reliably control…

An aircraft accident that resulted in the fatality of a child passenger is a shocking reminder to all pilots about the dangers of unauthorised and unnecessary low-level flying, according to the ATSB. The accident occurred on 12 April 2014 when a Maule M-5 aircraft, with a pilot and two passengers on board, struck a powerline across the Clarence River in New South Wales. The aircraft then collided with water, coming to rest inverted with the cabin submerged. The pilot and front-seat adult passenger escaped the cockpit through one of the forward doors and attempted to free the rear-seat child…

A fatal Robinson R44 helicopter accident has prompted the ATSB to recommend safety improvements to helicopter fuel tanks in the United States and Europe. Four people died in the March 2013 accident at Bulli Tops in New South Wales. The R44 helicopter they were travelling in was engulfed in fire after striking a tree and hitting the ground. Following this accident, Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and other international regulators, made it mandatory for R44 helicopter operators to replace the R44's all-aluminium fuel tank with a bladder-type fuel tank. ATSB Chief Commissioner…

ATSB begins action on Canadian review The ATSB has today begun action in responding to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) review into the ATSB’s methodologies and processes. Released last week, the review found that the ATSB’s investigation methodologies and practices generally met or exceeded international best-practice standards. The review also highlighted potential improvements, particularly about the way in which ATSB methodologies were applied in the investigation into the ditching of the Pel-Air Westwind Aircraft off Norfolk Island in November 2009. In response to the TSB…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is satisfied that the unidentified material found 10 kilometres east of Augusta, Western Australia is not associated with missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. This assessment follows the ATSB's careful examination of a set of forensic photographs supplied by the West Australian Police yesterday. ATSB Chief Commissioner, Mr Martin Dolan, said the ATSB takes all suspected leads in the search for the missing aircraft very seriously. "The ATSB examined the forensic photographs of the material to see if it has any relevance to the search of MH370,"…

        Search operation for Malaysia Airlines aircraft Media briefing - 28 March 2014  Australian Maritime Safety Authority Emergency Response General Manager John Young.Australian Transport Safety Bureau Chief Commissioner Martin Dolan. We would like to update you on some credible information AMSA has received from the ATSB which will see the search area refocused today. The AMSA search for any sign of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has been shifted to an area north following advice from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. An international air crash…

Australia’s transport industries are some of the safest in the world but more can be done to improve safety, according to the ATSB’s annual report. Approved for tabling by the Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Warren Truss, the annual report highlights the ATSB’s top transport safety concerns across the aviation, maritime and rail industries. ATSB Chief Commissioner Martin Dolan said the safety concerns bring together the ATSB’s investigation findings and analysis of the safety occurrence data reported by industry. “We are urging industry to give heightened attention to the risk areas identified…

Transport safety investigators from the Asia Pacific region have converged on Canberra this week to learn about how human factors influence accidents. The 32 participants from five nations will attend lectures and participate in exercises conducted by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and featuring leading experts in the science. Course convenor Dr Richard Batt, the ATSB’s Director International, said human factors were a predominant factor in accidents. “Research shows 80 to 90 per cent of accidents have a human factor involved,” Dr Batt said. “This can range from things like operator…

The ATSB today released a request for tender to acquire the services of a specialist company capable of conducting a deep-water search under ATSB direction for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. Engaged as a prime contractor, the company will provide the expertise, equipment and vessel(s) necessary to undertake an intensified underwater search for the missing Boeing 777 aircraft in the defined zone in the southern Indian Ocean. While the precise search zone is currently being established by an international search strategy working group, it is expected that the successful tenderer will…

The ATSB is urging pilots of single-engine aircraft to plan for partial power loss, following the release of a new educational video. Between 2000 and 2010, there were nine fatal accidents resulting in 20 people losing their lives as a result of a response to a partial power loss soon after take-off. Importantly, there were no fatal accidents where the engine initially completely failed. ATSB research manager Dr Stuart Godley says the high number of fatalities and serious injuries resulting from partial power loss should be of concern to pilots and flight instructors. “Historically, the…