Systemic safety issues in Queensland coastal pilotage operations have been identified in an Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation report, released today. Coastal pilots form a key defence against a serious shipping incident in parts of the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait as part of a suite of broader protective measures already in place. The ATSB began an investigation into coastal pilotage operations in December 2010 following the release of its report into the grounding of the piloted tanker Atlantic Blue in the Torres Strait and a request from the Australian Maritime…

On Thursday 2 February 2012, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will hold a media briefing to accompany the release of its preliminary investigation report into the 8 January 2012 foundering of the Panamanian registered general cargo ship Tycoon at Christmas Island. ATSB Chief Commissioner Mr Martin Dolan will present the facts of the accident and outline the direction of the ATSB's ongoing investigation. Where: 62 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra, ACT (ATSB Central Office) Time: 11.00am (AEDT), Thursday 2 February 2012 Copies of the investigation report will be available from 11.00am…

With the Holiday season upon us, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has encouraged air travellers to keep their seat belts fastened at all possible times. The call coincides with the release of the ATSB report into an in-flight upset that occurred on-board a Qantas A330 aircraft en-route from Singapore to Perth in October 2008. At least 110 of the 303 passengers and 9 of the 12 crew members were injured. Of these, 51 received hospital medical treatment. The Chief Commissioner of the ATSB, Mr Martin Dolan, said that the accident provided a salient reminder about the importance of…

The incorrect entry of take-off weight data that resulted in the tail strike and runway overrun of an Emirates Airbus A340 aircraft was not a unique event. Similar events continue to occur throughout the world, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). "These sorts of errors have potentially serious safety consequences," said ATSB Chief Commissioner, Mr Martin Dolan. "It is encouraging to see the significant safety action that is occurring as a result of the ATSB's investigation." Mr Dolan was speaking on publication of the ATSB's final report of its investigation into a 20…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released its 2010-11 Annual Report. 'The report summarises a year of major activity and accomplishment for the ATSB, 'said the ATSB's Chief Commissioner, Martin Dolan. 'It also highlights a number of areas of continuing concern for transport safety.' In its review of transport safety trends, the report highlights: a number of events involving 'see-and-avoid' procedures in the vicinity of smaller airports continuing issues with the training, checking and supervision of pilots the recurrence of known problems in general aviation, including collisions…

The poor management of fuel in some aircraft operations continues to pose a serious risk to aviation safety according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. ATSB Chief Commissioner, Mr Martin Dolan, said fuel mismanagement is a continuing concern for the ATSB due to the high number of fuel-related occurrences reported each year. 'Each year, the ATSB receives more than 20 reports of fuel exhaustion or starvation incidents and accidents,' Mr Dolan said. 'These events have led to forced landings, diversions to other aerodromes and, in the worst cases, fatal crashes.' 'Many accidents…

On Monday 19 December 2011, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will hold a media briefing to accompany the release of its final investigation report into the 7 October 2008 in-flight upset of an Airbus A330-303 that occurred 154 km west of Learmonth, WA. ATSB Chief Commissioner Mr Martin Dolan will present the facts of the investigation and highlight the key safety actions that have resulted by the parties to prevent a recurrence. Where: 62 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra, ACT(ATSB Central Office) Time: 10.30am (AEDT), Monday 19 December 2011 Copies of the investigation report will be…

On Friday 16 December 2011, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will hold a media briefing to accompany the release of its final investigation report into the 20 March 2009 tail strike of an Airbus A340-541 at Melbourne Airport. ATSB Chief Commissioner Mr Martin Dolan will present the facts of the investigation and highlight the key safety actions that have resulted by the parties to prevent a recurrence. Where: 62 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City, ACT(ATSB Central Office) Time: 10.30am (AEDT), Friday 16 December 2011 Copies of the investigation report will be available from 10.…

Robinson R22 helicopter pilots are being cautioned of a drive belt risk following a fatal accident in north-west Queensland. On 9 May 2011, a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter crashed after its drive belts failed during mustering operations near Julia Creek (the drive belts transmit engine power to the helicopter's main and tail rotor blades). The pilot, who died in the accident, was the only person on board. The ATSB preliminary investigation report, released today, highlights a number of factors that can cause drive belt failure. These include excessive wear due to the misalignment of the…

The ATSB's successful retrieval of flight data from a badly damaged aircraft has been described as a 'breakthrough' by Royal New Zealand Air Force authorities. On 14 January 2010, the Royal New Zealand Air Force Red Checkers CT-4 Airtrainer aircraft crashed at Ohakea Air Force Base in New Zealand while practising for an upcoming aerobatics display. The pilot died in the accident and the aircraft was destroyed by fire. The ATSB transport safety report, released today, details the efforts taken to retrieve a large amount of data from the aircraft's badly damaged flight data recorder following a…