On Wednesday, 18 November 2009, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will be holding a media conference to accompany the release of its second interim factual report into the in-flight upset involving Airbus A330-303 aircraft, registered VH-QPA that occurred 154 km west of Learmonth, WA on 7 October 2008. Mr Martin Dolan, Chief Commissioner of the Bureau, and Mr Ian Sangston, Director of Aviation Safety Investigations will discuss the report, which builds upon the facts released in the previous interim factual report, and details the safety actions taken as a result of the accident.…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released a second Interim Factual Report into the accident involving the Qantas Airbus A330-303 in-flight upset, 154 km west of Learmonth WA, on 7 October 2008. The report summarises new activities conducted since the first Interim Factual Report that was released on 6 March 2009, and it should be read in conjunction with that previous report. The aircraft (registered VH-QPA) was being operated on a scheduled passenger service (QF72) from Singapore to Perth. At 1240, while cruising at 37,000 ft, the aircraft experienced two uncommanded pitch-down…

The ATSB has found that the driver of a motor vehicle fatally injured in a collision with a train on 5 June 2006, was under the influence of cannabis and probably distracted by his mobile telephone at about the time of the accident. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released its report into the accident which occurred at a level crossing on Thurgoona Road on the northern outskirts of Albury at approximately 1:22 pm on 5 June 2006. The 1986 Holden Commodore drove at a steady speed of less than 60 km/h into the path of a Sydney bound CountryLink XPT passenger train which was travelling…

The ATSB has found that the major derailment of an Interail freight train at Benalla in Victoria on 2 June 2006 occurred because the train driver did not correctly interpret and respond to a signal. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigated the accident which resulted in of the derailment of two locomotives which sustained heavy damage along with 19 wagons and two track machines which were located in an adjacent siding. A nearby Victorian Railway Institute Hall also sustained heavy structural damage as a result of the derailment. There were no serious injuries to the train crew or…

The Papua New Guinea Accident Investigation Commission (AIC) has released its Preliminary Factual Report into the collision with terrain that occurred near Kokoda, Papua New Guinea on 11 August 2009, involving a De Havilland DH-6 Twin Otter aircraft, registration P2-MCB. The AIC is investigating this accident, together with support from the Papua New Guinea Department of Transport, in accordance with its obligations under Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The AIC requested the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) to assist their investigation by providing…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating and two investigators departed for Queensland this morning to commence the investigation. The yacht is expected to berth at Southport later this afternoon. Mr Mike Squires, Acting Director of Surface Safety Investigations will discuss factual information known to the ATSB at this time and will outline the investigation process at a media conference today, Wednesday, 9 September 2009. Where: 62 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City ACT (ATSB Central Office) Time: 2.30 pm (local time) No further media briefings will be conducted by the…

On 20 October 2009, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will be holding a media conference to accompany the release of its Transport Safety Investigation Preliminary Report, MO-2009-008, into the collision between Silver Yang and Ella's Pink Lady. The incident occurred off Point Lookout, Queensland, on 9 September 2009. Mr Peter Foley, Director, Surface Safety Investigations will discuss the preliminary report, which is a statement of facts known at this time, and will be talking about the investigation activities conducted up to this point. The media conference is being held at the…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the collision between the bulk carrier Silver Yang and the yacht, Pink Lady. Mr Mike Squires, Acting Director of Surface Safety Investigations, confirmed the known details of the incident and outlined the investigation process at a media briefing held at Parliament House today, Wednesday, 9 September at 2.30pm. Two ATSB investigators departed for Queensland this morning to commence the investigation. Brisbane Water Police are also assisting. The Pink Lady was expected to berth at Southport sometime this afternoon. The yacht was…

The ATSB has found that a broken rail emanating from rail defect was the most probable cause of the derailment of a freight train in South Australia. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has today released its final report into the investigation of a derailment on 10 June 2007 near Bates in SA in which 11 wagons in the middle of the train derailed and 4 overturned and were extensively damaged. The investigation established that the derailment probably resulted from an undetected flaw in the rail which caused a section to break away under the train. While track at the derailment site had…

The ATSB has determined that the derailment of a freight train on the Defined Interstate Rail Network near Seymour was due to a wagon coupler that fell onto the track and became caught under a trailing wagon. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has today released its final report on the investigation of the derailment that occurred near Seymour in Victoria on 12 September 2006. The train derailed at 0520 while travelling from Griffith NSW to Melbourne and was loaded with food products for export. The coupler, connecting the seventh and eighth wagons in the train, became dislodged when the…