Flying visually in poor visibility continues to be one of the most dangerous forms of flying, as evidenced by a fatal aircraft accident near Mount Hotham, Victoria on 23 October 2013. An ATSB investigation into the accident found the pilot of a Cessna 182Q aircraft—who was flying visually in an aircraft not approved for 'instrument flight rules'—took off despite poor weather forecast along the planned route. The ATSB found that the pilot likely encountered reduced visibility due to poor weather, which resulted in the aircraft colliding with Mount Blue Rag, at about 5000 feet (1,524 metres)…

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…

As aerial agriculture pilots prepare for an early spring start to their busiest time of year, a new ATSB report highlights past aviation safety events in the industry. ATSB's Manager Reporting and Analysis, Dr Stuart Godley said, 'ATSB has been working closely with the Aerial Agricultural Association of Australia (AAAA) to strengthen their long-standing education and training program by using reported incidents and ATSB investigations to identify key learning opportunities for pilots. 'The statistics clearly identify a long-term trend in improving safety in the sector, but both ATSB and AAAA…

        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…

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,"…

In response to a request from the Ukrainian authorities, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau is deploying two of its investigators to Kiev to support an international investigation into the events surrounding the tragic crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. The investigators, with backgrounds in aircraft operations and aeronautical engineering, will form part of a concerted international effort to determine the cause of the crash of MH17. The investigators are expected to arrive in Kiev on Tuesday 22 July.

Onsite media briefing: The ATSB will conduct an onsite media briefing on its investigation into the 20 July 2014 aircraft accident near Burrumbuttock, NSW. The Investigator-in-Charge will discuss factual information known to the ATSB at this time and will outline the investigation process. The ATSB has deployed two investigators, who have already begun work at the accident site. Over the next few days they will examine the circumstances around the accident and gather information from the wreckage site, witnesses and aircraft maintenance records. The investigators are seeking witness reports…

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…

The ATSB will today conduct an onsite media briefing on its investigation into the 14 October 2014 aircraft accident of a Van’s RV-6A, at Chelsea, Melbourne, Victoria. The Investigator-in-Charge will discuss factual information known to the ATSB at this time and will outline the investigation process. The ATSB has deployed three investigators, who have already begun work at the accident site. Over the next few days they will examine the wreckage site, interview witnesses and collect maintenance records. The investigators are seeking witness reports as well as video or imagery that might…