A bulletin released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) today reveals that unauthorised and unnecessary low-level flying has contributed to the deaths of at least 12 people during the past 10 years. The bulletin, the first in the series of the ATSB's avoidable accidents publications, presents case studies on the dangers of flying low. It also focuses on the key safety lessons learnt from each of these cases. The ATSB's Director of Safety Data, Research and Technical, Mr Julian Walsh, said the bulletin aims to educate the flying community and general public about the inherent…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is releasing its Preliminary Factual report into the ditching that occurred 6 km to the west of Norfolk Island on the evening of 18 November 2009 and involved Israel Aircraft Industries Westwind 1124A aircraft, registered VH-NGA. The six occupants evacuated the aircraft as it sank, and were later recovered by a rescue vessel from Norfolk Island. While the ATSB has yet to establish all the factors relevant to this occurrence, it nevertheless highlights the risks in operating long distance flights to remote island locations which are subject to…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is releasing its Interim Factual report into the tailstrike involving Airbus A340-500 aircraft, registered A6-ERG, during takeoff at Melbourne Airport, Vic. on the evening of 20 March 2009. The aircraft was being operated on a scheduled passenger flight from Melbourne to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. This report builds on the facts advised in the report that was released on 30 April 2009 (ISBN 978-1-921602-43-6, available at www.atsb.gov.au). The investigation has determined that the pre-flight take-off performance calculations were based on…

The investigation of an in-flight breakup that occurred near Clombinane, Victoria on 31 July 2007 has found that it most likely resulted from an encounter with localised and intense turbulence, from an elevator control input, or from a combination of both. The accident resulted in the death of the pilot and passenger on board the Rockwell International Aero Commander 500-S aircraft on a business flight from Essendon Airport to Shepparton. As a result of its investigation, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau reissued the publication Mountain Wave Turbulence (available for download at www.…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its preliminary investigation report into the collision between the bulk carrier Silver Yang and the yacht, Ella's Pink Lady. The report contains factual information gathered to date, as part of the investigation process. ATSB investigators last met with the skipper of Ella's Pink Lady on 9 October 2009, prior to her departure on her round-the-world voyage. The ATSB investigation is ongoing and will focus on several specific areas including: the electronic detectability of the yacht the lookout being kept on board both vessels…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is continuing its rigorous and comprehensive examination of the circumstances surrounding the failure of an oxygen cylinder that led to the depressurisation of a Boeing 747 on a flight from Hong Kong to Melbourne in July last year. The ATSB's second interim factual report on this accident, released today, indicates that to date there is no evidence of systemic safety problems with oxygen bottles of the type involved in the accident. Various tests have not been able to replicate the cylinder failure that initiated the accident. The report provides details…

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…