Australian accidents and incidents - some worrying trends The last time, I took for granted that a Safeskies audience would know what the ATSB was and the roles it played in Australia's system of aviation safety. Conversations with a number of you - and with others - have since convinced me that I might have been over-optimistic on that score. We're still positioned in the public's mind as 'the accident investigator'. Certain television series only reinforce that view. Thorough and effective investigation is of course an essential part of what we do - a necessary pre-condition - but it's only…

ATSB investigations have resulted in many improvements to transport safety, according to a new research report, although problems with the procedures used to manage safety risk continue to be the most common issue in all three modes of transport. The report examines safety issues-and resulting actions-identified by the ATSB across the aviation, marine and rail sectors during 20010-11. From the ATSB's investigations, 121 safety issues (factors that could adversely affect the safety of future operations) were identified. The transport industry undertook 137 separate safety actions to deal with…

A new ATSB investigation bulletin released today highlights five instances of aircraft coming too close to each other. Two of these occurrences were 'breakdowns of separation,' taking place in airspace under Air Traffic Control, which has carefully defined standards to keep planes a set distance apart. Several safety actions have come out of these occurrences, including the establishment of an awareness program for Air Traffic Controllers, and a systemic review by Airservices Australia. Mr Joe Hattley, the ATSB's Assistant General Manager of Aviation Safety Investigations says the…

ATSB investigations resulted in major improvements to transport safety, according to a new research report. The report examines safety issues-and resulting actions-identified by the ATSB across the aviation, marine and rail sectors during 2009-10. From the ATSB's investigations, 124 safety issues (factors that could adversely affect the safety of future operations) were identified. The transport industry undertook 141 separate safety actions to deal with these issues. Overall, inadequate procedures or the lack of procedures posed the greatest safety risk across all three modes of transport.…

The rate of fatal accidents in general aviation is 3½ times higher than for air transport activity according to an ATSB report. Released today, the statistical report examines aviation accidents and incidents between 2001 and 2010 across all aviation types in Australia. During the past ten years, there were 236 people killed in 147 fatal accidents in general aviation. General aviation includes all VH-registered flying activities except scheduled and charter passenger and freight operations. Within general aviation, private flying accounted for the highest number of fatalities at 135 people…

An interim ATSB investigation report has confirmed the sequence of events that led to the 4 November 2010 uncontained engine failure on board a Qantas A380 aircraft over Batam Island, Indonesia. The report also sets out how, as a result of the investigation to date, Rolls-Royce, affected airlines and safety regulators have taken action to ensure the continued safe operation of A380 aircraft. Released today, the report highlights how the intermediate pressure turbine disc in the aircraft's No. 2 engine had been weakened by an oil fire. As a result, the disc separated from its shaft,…

Agricultural pilots are being reminded of the dangers associated with flying near wires following the release of an ATSB booklet today. The booklet, released in association with the Aerial Agriculture Association of Australia, highlights recent wirestrike accidents that occurred while pilots were conducting spraying activities. Importantly, the report provides ways for pilots to minimise the risk of striking a powerline while conducting aerial operations. ATSB Manager of Research Investigations, Dr Stuart Godley, said that in the majority of wirestrike accidents the pilots had known of the…

An ATSB investigation into a fatal helicopter accident has highlighted the continuing risks facing pilots when flying around powerlines. On 20 May 2010, a helicopter struck a powerline during forestry spraying operations near the Latrobe Valley Airport in Victoria. The helicopter crashed and the pilot, the only person on board, died. The ATSB's investigation report, released today, describes how the pilot struck the wire on the final spray run despite being aware of the wire's location. ATSB Chief Commissioner, Mr Martin Dolan, said this accident is part of a worrying trend in aviation…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is urging shipping operators to regularly check and replace their container lashing equipment as a result of an incident involving the Hong Kong registered container ship Pacific Adventurer. On 11 March 2009, Pacific Adventurer lost 31 containers overboard during severe weather and large swells off Cape Moreton, Queensland. As the unsecured containers went overboard, they holed two of the ship's fuel oil bunker tanks. This caused the ship to leak 270 tonnes of bunker oil into the sea which affected 70kms of Queensland's coastline. The ATSB…

Aircraft take-off performance errors resulting from simple human data calculation or entry occur too frequently but can be avoided or detected, according to an ATSB research report, released today. The report examines Australian and international occurrences between 1 January 1989 and 30 June 2009 that involved the calculation and entry of erroneous take-off data. It reveals that take-off errors happen for many different reasons such as the wrong figure being used as well as data being entered incorrectly, not being updated, or being excluded. Importantly, the report identifies that while no…