ATSB analysis indicates no adverse safety trend since NAS stage 2b was introduced on 27 November 2003 based on the ATSB's preliminary review of its aviation safety occurrence database, including an examination of TCAS resolution advisory alerts. Because of the significance of NAS airspace changes and public debate over the safety of their implementation, the ATSB has reviewed and categorised NAS-related occurrences and undertaken a comparative analysis of TCAS resolution advisory (RA) alerts in the 140 days from 27 November 2003 with 140 days a year earlier. There were 37 RAs after NAS 2b was…

A new ATSB research investigation report analyses the 37 midair collisions in Australia from 1961 to 2003. None involved scheduled passenger (RPT) aircraft and over three quarters involved general aviation aircraft that collided in good weather in or near the circuit area of an airport. Of the 78% of midair collisions in circuit areas, nearly half occurred on the final leg of the circuit or on the base-to-final turn. Most midair collisions occurred between aircraft converging on similar courses, or flying in the same direction. A range of contributing factors were evident, but there were no…

Today the ATSB is issuing a preliminary report of the investigation into the accident involving an Aero Commander 500-S, registered VH-LST. The accident occurred on 19 February 2004, at about 1700 Eastern Summer Time (ESuT), approximately 58km NNW of Hobart Aerodrome. The report provides factual information as at 29 March 2004. The aircraft departed Hobart Airport for Devonport, Tasmania at about 1643 ESuT. The pilot made several radio transmissions, the last indicating that the aircraft had left 4,500 ft on climb to a cruising altitude of 8,500 ft. The wreckage pattern indicates that the…

As of 20 May 2004, seafarers will be able to make their safety concerns known under a new AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT safety initiative. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is introducing a Confidential Marine Reporting Scheme (CMRS) to improve safety in Australian waters by preventing or reducing the risks of marine accidents. The marine industry, which was widely consulted on the scheme, has welcomed its introduction. Seafarers and others connected with the marine industry will now be able to report, confidentially, any unsafe conditions, practices or procedures on ships.…

A final ATSB investigation report into a serious incident involving a Saab passenger flight in June 2002 has found that pilots lost control because of low airspeed, airframe icing and the operation of the aircraft autopilot system, and that they did not receive a prior stall warning. As a result of this serious incident and an ATSB report released in May 2001 into a similar serious incident, the ATSB has made further safety recommendations to operators, to Saab, and to CASA. On the evening of 28 June 2002, a Saab 340B, VH-OLM, operating as a regular public transport service from Sydney to…

The ATSB investigation has classified the airspace incident near Launceston on 24 December as a 'serious incident' and has recommended a review of certain aspects of NAS airspace implementation in Class E airspace including education, training and chart frequency material. Unlike previous reports made to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau since the NAS 2b changes from 27 November, of which two warranted investigation, the ATSB has determined that the occurrence near Launceston on 24 December was a type of serious incident known as an 'airprox'. The ATSB investigation found that a 737…

The ATSB's final investigation report has found that a Boeing 737 passenger aircraft that overran the runway in Darwin in June 2002 did so because of a high approach speed, an inaccurate and unstabilised approach, and poor crew resource management. Significant safety action has been taken by the operator to address the problems found and to improve training and safety systems to seek to ensure it doesn't happen again. At about 1135pm on 11 June 2002, Boeing 737-800 registered VH-VOE touched down an estimated 1016 metres from the departure end of Runway 29 at Darwin, overran the runway and…

A media conference presenting the ATSB's investigation findings and recommendations on the 26 September 2002 accident of Piper Cherokee Six registration VH-MAR in which the pilot and five passengers were fatally injured will be held at 11.00 am, Thursday 18 March 2004. Who: Mr Kym Bills (Executive Director)When: 18 March 2004 (1100 ESuT)Where: ATSB Headquarters (15 Mort Street, Canberra City) The report will then be available on the website www.atsb.gov.au. Note: Media are requested to assemble in the foyer at 15 Mort Street 15 minutes prior to the conference, from where they will be escorted…

A media conference discussing the fatal helicopter accident on 22 November 2004 near Dubbo in New South Wales will be held today, Tuesday 23 November 2004. When: 14:30 local time (NSW)Where: 12 kms south-west of Dunedoo, New South Wales (accident site) The ATSB's Investigator at the site will only discuss factual events known to the investigation team at the time. Any person/witness with information about the accident is encouraged to contact the ATSB on 1800 020 616 and will be put in touch with an investigator. With the exception of this media conference all media contact will continue to…

In releasing our final investigation report the ATSB's hope is that this tragic accident should be a reminder for all pilots of the dangers of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) especially during approach and landing in dark night conditions and at times of inclement weather with reduced visibility and into unfamiliar aerodromes. The Bureau is a member of the International Flight Safety Foundation and the Bureau's report highlights the extensive research undertaken by the Flight Safety Foundation into the CFIT phenomenon and the benefit of their education and prevention programs, which are…