An ATSB Research report has found that pilot workload was perceived as being higher, and reported losses of situational awareness were more common, with the area navigation global navigation satellite system [RNAV (GNSS)] approach like the one being flown by the crew of the 15-fatality aircraft at Lockhart River on 7 May 2005, compared with all other approach types except the non-directional beacon (NDB) approach, which involved similar workload and situational awareness levels. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has made a number of recommendations to enhance the safety of RNAV (GNSS)…

A media conference discussing the progress of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the mid-air fatality on 26 February 2008 will be held today, Wednesday, 27 February 2008 Where: At the accident site north - east of Wee Waa, NSW The briefing will be conducted adjacent to 'Glen Arvan' on Trindles Lane - from Wee Waa take the highway towards Narrabri and turn left approximately10 km from Wee Waa and then 3 km north to the briefing site (near position .30 degrees 10.63 minutes S, 149 degrees 30.72 minutes E). Time: 1300 ESuT (local time) Mr Alex Hood, Investigator in Charge (IIC…

A media conference discussing the progress of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Pitts S-2A Special single fatality accident on 18 March 2008 will be held today, Wednesday 19 March 2008. Where: Side Lane - 50 metres north of accident site on the western side of The Northern Road Time: 11:00 am ESuT (local time) Mr Marcus Matthews, Investigator in Charge (IIC) will discuss factual information known to the investigation team at this time and will outline the investigation process. Any person/witness with information about the accident is encouraged to contact the ATSB on…

A crew member on board the P&O cruise ship, Pacific Sun fell to his death because his safety harness was not properly secured, according to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau report released today. On 5 February 2006, Pacific Sun berthed at number eight wharf Darling Harbour, Sydney. The quartermaster on the twelve to four watch was assigned to clean rust streaks from the outside of the port bridge wing. At 1205, before the quartermaster started work, the officer on watch checked his safety harness and completed a work permit. The quartermaster then climbed out onto an open catwalk and…

A media conference discussing the progress of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Fairchild Metroliner single fatality accident on 9 April 2008 will be held today, Friday 11 April 2008 Where: Outside the NSW Water Police Compound, Jubilee Place, BALMAIN, NSW Time: 2:00 pm EST (local time) Mr Allan Coppin, Investigator in Charge (IIC) will discuss factual information known to the investigation team at this time and will outline the investigation process. Any person/witness with information about the accident is encouraged to contact the ATSB on 1800 020 616. No further…

An ATSB investigation report has found that while an emergency passenger evacuation at Hobart was conducted rapidly and in a pro-active manner in the interests of passenger safety, there were problems with communication involving the pilots, ground crew, and cabin crew that created potential risk and has led to improved safety action for the future. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau's final report into the Boeing 717 evacuation on 17 May 2005 found that a right engine starter had failed during the engine start due to loss of lubricating oil because a seal retaining ring was incorrectly…

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation found that the collision between the Australian registered tug Tom Tough and the Panamanian registered bulk carrier Global Peace resulted in a spill of approximately 25 cubic metres of oil in Gladstone Harbour on 24 January 2006. At about 2130 on the evening of 24 January, Global Peace entered Gladstone harbour for the transit to the Clinton Coal Terminal. The plan was for the ship to berth at Clinton number three berth with the assistance of three z-peller tugs. As the ship was approaching the berth, the pilot asked all three tugs to…

An ATSB investigation has found that high track temperatures, track stability and the movement of rolling stock led to derailments involving Train 6MP4 at Koolyanobbing WA and Train 6SP5 at Booraan WA on the afternoon of 30 January 2005. Koolyanobbing and Booraan are respectively about 200 kilometres and 360 kilometres west of Kalgoorlie. Both freight trains had been travelling to Perth on the Defined Interstate Rail Network (DIRN), 6MP4 having started its journey in Melbourne and 6SP5 in Sydney. There were no serious injuries due to either derailment but many wagons from each train sustained…

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation has found that a lack of hazard awareness and safety control measures led to the chief engineer on board the Australian bulk carrier River Embley sustaining burns to 45 percent of his body when he was scalded by hot water that unexpectedly sprayed from a steam valve he and a junior engineer were working on. On the morning of 14 October 2005, the engineers were working in the engine room while the ship was at anchor off Gladstone. While they were dismantling the turbo alternator exhaust steam valve a thousand litres of pressurised hot…

The ATSB's on-site investigation into the 5 October 2006 fatal accident involving a BAC-167 Strikemaster jet, NE of Bathurst, NSW, is continuing. Access to the accident site has been hampered by the presence of a large bushfire, which is currently being fought by the NSW Rural Fire Service. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau's on-site investigation team has reported that the aircraft wreckage trail extends more than 1 kilometre. Team members have been able to access some of the aircraft wreckage during a period of limited access to the accident site over the last 2 days. During that time…