The ATSB has found that the Hamilton Island accident in which six people died was the result of a low altitude stall. The tragedy provides an important opportunity to highlight some dangers to flight safety including post-alcohol impairment, cannabis, and fatigue. At about 5pm on 26 September 2002, Piper Cherokee Six registration VH-MAR crashed shortly after take-off from runway 14 at Hamilton Island heading for the neighbouring Lindeman Island. The pilot and five passengers were fatally injured, and the aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and the post-impact fire. The final ATSB…

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…

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…

The ATSB has found that the Bankstown midair collision accident was the result of a Piper Warrior passing through the extended centreline of runway 29 centre, to which the pilot had been cleared, and continuing on to the extended centreline of runway 29 left. The Piper collided with a Socata Taralga, which had been cleared for its final approach to the left runway. The Piper became uncontrollable and crashed in an industrial area to the south-east of the airport. All four occupants were fatally injured. The Socata landed at Bankstown and its occupants were uninjured. General Aviation Airport…

An ATSB interim factual investigation report has found that the airspace incident near Brisbane on 7 April involving a B737 and a Lancair aircraft was not an 'airprox' event. In this incident, the two aircraft passed with 600 feet vertical and 0.4NM (about 1 km) lateral separation in new Class E airspace, but were not in danger of collision. Unlike the Launceston airprox last Christmas Eve, in this incident the smaller Lancair aircraft was on air traffic control radar and in communication with controllers and the B737 aircraft had initiated a change of flightpath before receiving two TCAS…

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…

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.…

The ATSB has found that the Moorabbin fatal accident was mainly the result of a lack of pilot situational awareness related to different aircraft night training circuit sizes. At about 6.40pm on 29 July 2002, two Cessna 172R aircraft collided while on approach to runway 17 left at Moorabbin airport. The two aircraft became entangled, with aircraft VH-CNW on top of VH-EUH and impacted the runway and came to rest after sliding a short distance along the runway surface. The pilot of VH-CNW was fatally injured. The Moorabbin Air Traffic Control Tower was not in operation at the time of the…

[slide 1] Note: Presentation slide references. Thank you, Mr Chairman and good morning ladies and gentlemen. As most of you know, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau was established on the 1st of July 1999 and you will see in your delegate's information folders that the ATSB's mission [slide 2] is to maintain and improve transport safety and public confidence through independent 'no blame' investigations which seek to uncover the causal factors that led…

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…