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 is highlighting the safety risks of flying around non-towered aerodromes as part of this week’s national Ausfly conference at Narromine, NSW. Narromine is expected to host hundreds of pilots who will fly in for Ausfly from all over Australia between 12 and 15 September. This is set to make Narromine Airport one of the busiest non-towered aerodromes in the country during that period. ATSB Chief Commissioner, Martin Dolan, said that safety around non-towered aerodromes is one of the ATSB’s top transport safety priorities. “The ATSB often receives reports from pilots that another…

The ATSB will conduct an onsite media briefing on its investigation into the 18 September 2013 aircraft accident at Geraldton Airport, Western Australia. The Investigator-in-Charge, Mr Andrew Roberton 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 wreckage site, interview witnesses and collect maintenance records. The investigators are seeking witness reports including any video footage that might…

The ATSB will conduct an on-site media briefing on its investigation into the 23 September 2013 aircraft accident near Hamilton Airport, 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 that might assist the investigation. Witnesses can call the ATSB…

The ATSB will conduct an on-site media briefing on its investigation into the 9 December 2013 aircraft accident near the Lakelands Senior High School, South Lake, WA. The Investigator-in-Charge, Mr Alex Hood will discuss factual information known to the ATSB at this time and will outline the investigation process. The ATSB has deployed four investigators, who will begin work at the accident site on Tuesday afternoon 10 December 2013. Over the next two days they will examine the wreckage site, interview witnesses and collect maintenance records. The investigators are seeking witness reports…

The ATSB today released a report warning pilots on the dangers of flying visually at night following a number of fatal accidents that occurred in dark-night conditions. The report comes shortly after the release of the ATSB’s investigation into the fatal helicopter crash at Lake Eyre where the pilot likely became spatially disoriented during a visual flight at night. ATSB Chief Commissioner, Mr Martin Dolan, said accidents involving visual flight at night are becoming an increasing safety concern in Australian aviation. “Over the past 20 years, the ATSB has investigated 36 accidents as a…

A research report released today by the ATSB reveals that the vast majority of loss of aircraft separation occurrences in Australia present little or no risk of collision, but more can be done to improve safety. (A loss of separation occurs when two aircraft under air traffic control come closer than a minimum separation distance.) The report shows that Australia has one of the lowest loss-of-separation occurrence rates, attributable to civilian air traffic control, in the world. A loss of separation (LOS) between aircraft under air traffic control happens on average once every 3 days. In…

    Search operation for Malaysia Airlines aircraft Media Release - 28 March 2014 The search area for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has been updated after a new credible lead was provided to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). As a result, today’s search will shift to an area 1,100 kilometres to the north-east based on updated advice provided by the international investigation team in Malaysia. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), Australia’s investigation agency, has examined this advice and determined that this is the most credible lead to where…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), at the request of the Queensland Government, has initiated an investigation into the passenger train accident at Cleveland Station in Brisbane yesterday. The accident occurred when a QR passenger train failed to stop at the Cleveland station platform and collided with the end-of-line buffer-stop, the platform and the station building. There were 15 people on board the train (including the driver and a guard) while four people were on the platform and in the station building. A number of people were treated for minor injuries and transported to…

The ATSB will conduct an on-site media briefing on its investigation into the 17 March 2013 fatal aircraft accident near Parafield Airport, South Australia. The Investigator-in-Charge, Mr Richard Davies will discuss factual information known to the ATSB at this time and will outline the investigation process. The ATSB has deployed three investigators, with specialisations in engineering and aircraft operations. They have already begun work at the accident site. Over the next few days they will examine the wreckage and accident site, interview witnesses, collect maintenance and pilot records…