In a preliminary investigation report released today, the ATSB outlines safety actions that have already been taken in response to an uncontained engine failure on board a Qantas A380 aircraft over Batam Island, Indonesia on 4 November 2010. "The investigation highlights Australian and international cooperation in the interests of aviation safety," said the ATSB's Chief Commissioner, Martin Dolan. "The ATSB is the lead investigator, but many others are involved, and their cooperation has been essential". "We're still in the early stages of investigation," Mr Dolan added, "but significant…

The ATSB has issued a safety recommendation about potential engine problems in some Airbus A380 aircraft. The safety recommendation identifies a potential manufacturing defect with an oil tube connection to the high-pressure (HP)/intermediate-pressure (IP) bearing structure of the Trent 900 engine installed in some A380 aircraft. The problem relates to the potential for misaligned oil pipe counter-boring, which could lead to fatigue cracking, oil leakage and potential engine failure from an oil fire within the HP/IP bearing buffer space. In response to the recommendation Rolls Royce, affected…

An electrical systems failure onboard a Boeing 747 aircraft near Bangkok, Thailand has prompted extensive safety actions from Qantas, Boeing and the US Federal Aviation Administration. On 7 January 2008, the aircraft lost electrical power to many of its onboard systems as a result of overflowing drain water entering generator control units that control the distribution of electrical power. In response to the event and the ATSB investigation, Qantas, Boeing and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have implemented a number of safety actions to prevent a recurrence. These actions…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will undertake a systemic safety investigation into Queensland's coastal pilotage operations. This follows the ATSB's investigation into the 7 February 2009 grounding of the tanker Atlantic Blue in the Torres Strait. ATSB Chief Commissioner, Mr Martin Dolan, said the ATSB decided to conduct this broader safety investigation to address information that came to light during the Atlantic Blue investigation as well as earlier, similar investigations. "The Atlantic Blue investigation is one in a number of cases where we received reports from coastal…

The Papua New Guinea Accident Investigation Commission (AIC) has distributed to directly involved parties a draft report of its investigation into the accident that occurred near Kokoda, Papua New Guinea on 11 August 2009. Directly involved parties are those who were directly involved in the accident or who may have influenced the circumstances that led to it. Those parties have until 23 January 2011 to comment on the factual accuracy of the report and to provide additional evidence in support of any comments. The AIC is investigating this accident in accordance with Annex 13 to the…

On Friday 3 December 2010, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will hold a media briefing to accompany the release of its preliminary factual investigation report into the 4 November 2010 engine failure onboard Qantas Flight QF32 over Batam Island, Indonesia. ATSB Chief Commissioner Mr Martin Dolan will present the facts gathered from the investigation to date and highlight the key safety actions relevant parties have taken to prevent a recurrence.Where: 62 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City, ACT(ATSB Central Office)Time: 10.30am (AEDT), Friday 3 December 2010The report will be…

A team of four ATSB investigators has commenced the investigation into the occurrence involving a QANTAS A380 aircraft that sustained an engine failure shortly after departing Singapore yesterday, en route to Australia. The investigators arrived in Singapore overnight and commenced examining the aircraft this afternoon. Speaking today in Canberra at a media conference, Mr Ian Sangston, General Manager Aviation Safety Investigations, said "an investigation of this complexity can take up to a year to complete. However, should any critical safety issues emerge, the ATSB will immediately bring…

A booklet released today by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) reminds pilots of their responsibilities and the precautions they need to observe around aerodromes which do not have air traffic control towers. "Generally, operations at non-towered aerodromes can be considered to be safe," said Martin Dolan, the Chief Commissioner of the ATSB. "Continued safety relies on all pilots maintaining awareness of their surroundings and of other aircraft, and on their flying in compliance with procedures, while being observant, courteous and cooperative." Because Australia's population is…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating an occurrence involving a Qantas aircraft near Singapore, which occurred, 4 November 2010. General Manager, Aviation Safety Investigations, Mr Ian Sangston will conduct a briefing on known factual aspects of the investigation. Where: 62 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City ACT(ATSB Central Office) Time: 3.00pm (AEDT) today After this briefing, all media enquiries should be directed to the media phone number below.

The rupture of an oxygen cylinder on board a Qantas Boeing 747 was a unique event and highly unlikely to happen again according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). On 25 July 2008, an oxygen cylinder ruptured in the plane's forward cargo hold about an hour into a flight from Hong Kong to Melbourne. Part of the ruptured cylinder punctured the fuselage wall and damaged the cabin, causing the plane to rapidly depressurise. The plane then made an emergency descent and landed at the nearest suitable airport in Manila, Philippines. None of the 369 passengers and crew on board were…