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…

The ATSB is reminding aerial work pilots to manage their fatigue levels as they take on higher workloads during this time of the year. The ATSB's advice follows an incident where a pilot fell asleep while undertaking locust spotting activities and had to be awoken by an observer on the plane. ATSB Chief Commissioner, Mr Martin Dolan, said aerial work pilots are especially prone to becoming fatigued during this time of the year. "As pilots increase their flying hours doing high intensity agricultural activity, such as spotting and spraying, they are at far greater risk of becoming fatigued,"…

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…

The ATSB today released its preliminary investigation report into the 30 August 2010 incident involving an Australian operated Boeing 747 aircraft that experienced an engine failure not long after leaving San Francisco, en route to Sydney. The preliminary report reveals the number 4 (right most) engine sustained an internal mechanical failure in the turbine area, rupturing the casing and ejecting debris that punctured a hole in the cowling. The plane's flaps and wing skin also incurred minor damage. The initial ATSB investigation centred on gathering the facts associated with the engine…

Two ATSB investigators today arrived in San Francisco to begin their investigation into the 30 August incident involving an Australian operated aircraft that experienced engine failure just outside of US airspace. The plane was forced to return to San Francisco airport shortly after take-off due to a failure with its number 4 engine. The failure was mechanical in nature and led to ejected material puncturing a hole in the outboard engine and damaging the plane's flaps. The investigators are expected to remain in San Francisco over the next few days to examine the engine and components and…

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…

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.

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…

On Monday 22 November, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will hold a media briefing to accompany the release of its final investigation report into the 25 July 2008 occurrence onboard Qantas Flight QF30. The occurrence involved an oxygen cylinder rupture 55 minutes into a flight from Hong Kong to Melbourne. ATSB Chief Commissioner Mr Martin Dolan will outline the investigation process and provide insight into the findings of the investigation. Where: 62 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City, ACT(ATSB Central Office) Time: report available from 10.30am, 11.00am start (AEDT), Monday, 22…