A report released today by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has found that limited visibility in heavy rain was a significant factor in a collision involving the Australian fishing vessel Chinderah Star and the Liberian flag bulk carrier Silver Bin. The collision occurred at 1209 local time on 25 March 2000, 0.6 nautical miles west of Chapman Island in the inner route of Queensland's Great Barrier Reef. Approximately 24 minutes before the collision, Chinderah Star was heading north when its skipper identified Silver Bin, 8.6 nautical miles to the north and heading south. The…

At 3.30pm today, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau will release its final investigation report on the fatal aircraft crash near Newman, WA. On 26 January 2001, a Cessna 310R operated by the Western Australian Police Air Support Unit crashed at night near Newman aerodrome. The four occupants sustained fatal injuries. Impact forces destroyed the aircraft. Who: ALAN STRAY (ATSB Deputy Director of Air Safety Investigation)When: 3.30pm (Eastern Standard Time)Where: ATSB Headquarters, 15 Mort Street, Canberra The report, titled Air Safety Investigation Report 200100348, will be available…

ATTENTION: Editors/Chief of Staff, Aviation/transport writers The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will be conducting a Media conference to discuss aspects of the Coroner's findings of the inquest into the Beech Super King Air aircraft which crashed 65km SE of Burketown on 5 September 2000 with eight fatalities. The conference will be held at 4 PM TODAY, Thursday 12 September. When: 4 pm. Please arrive in the foyer no later than 3.45pm as we need to escort you to our conference roomWhere: The Australian Transport Safety Bureau at 15 Mort Street, Canberra City.

The ATSB has found that a lack of communication, hazard awareness and job safety analysis led to a seaman on board the Panamanian registered container ship MSC Sonia being severely burned by steam. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation also found that the placement of the boiler safety valve vent pipe, and the direction in which it exhausted, meant that any personnel on the funnel casing top platform were vulnerable when a boiler safety valve operated. At about 0900 on 10 April 2007, a surveyor arrived on board MSC Sonia to carry out a scheduled boiler survey while the ship was…

The ATSB's final investigation report into a Piper Chieftain accident near Condobolin, NSW on 2 December 2005, resulting in four deceased persons, confirms that the aircraft broke up during flight when its structural limits were exceeded in the vicinity of thunderstorms. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau report states that there was no indication, either by way of emergency radio transmission from the pilot, or in a change in the altitude, track and speed of the aircraft as recorded by radar, that the flight was not proceeding normally. Some minutes after the pilot reported diverting…

ATTENTION: Editors/Chief of Staff, Aviation/transport writers The earlier invitation to attend a MEDIA CONFERENCE About the Beech Super King Air aircraft which crashed 65km SE of Burketown on 5 September 2000 with eight fatalities, has been amended. The conference will now be held at 4 PM TODAY, Thursday 7 March. When: 4 pm. Please arrive in the foyer no later than 3.45pm as we need to escort you to our conference room.Where: The Australian Transport Safety Bureau at 15 Mort Street Braddon, Canberra. A hard copy of the report will then be available.

An ATSB report released today shows that the average age of many aircraft in Australia is increasing but that this should not reduce safety if quality maintenance systems are in place. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report found that the average age of Australia's turbofan aircraft used in regular passenger transport (RPT) is very low. The fleet of aircraft in the 50,000 kg to 100,000 kg category had an average age of just 6 years by the end of 2005. That was 2 years lower than the average age of this fleet in 1995. The expansion of Qantas, and the introduction of new aircraft…

The ATSB has found that a lack of communication, hazard awareness and job safety analysis led to a seaman on board the Panamanian registered container ship MSC Sonia being severely burned by steam. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation also found that the placement of the boiler safety valve vent pipe, and the direction in which it exhausted, meant that any personnel on the funnel casing top platform were vulnerable when a boiler safety valve operated. At about 0900 on 10 April 2007, a surveyor arrived on board MSC Sonia to carry out a scheduled boiler survey while the ship was…

The ATSB has found that a fatal collision between The Overland passenger train and tip truck towing a tri-axle trailer occurred because the truck driver probably did not see the train and entered the level crossing after braking too late to stop at the 'Stop' sign.The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has today released its final report on the investigation of the collision which occurred at the Barpinba-Poorneet Road level crossing, near Wingeel in southern Victoria, on 15 November 2006. At the time of the accident the crossing was controlled by passive 'Stop' signs and approach warning…

An ATSB report released today shows that the average age of many aircraft in Australia is increasing but that this should not reduce safety if quality maintenance systems are in place. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report found that the average age of Australia's turbofan aircraft used in regular passenger transport (RPT) is very low. The fleet of aircraft in the 50,000 kg to 100,000 kg category had an average age of just 6 years by the end of 2005. That was 2 years lower than the average age of this fleet in 1995. The expansion of Qantas, and the introduction of new aircraft…