The ATSB has found that a collision occurred at level crossing near Elizabeth River (NT) on 20 October 2006 because the driver of a road-train truck did not stop at a Stop sign to give way to an approaching freight train. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation established that an adjacent road junction, low train conspicuity and a low expectation of seeing a train probably combined to mistakenly filter the truck drivers attention away from the importance of looking for a train. Consequently he did not see the approaching train, even though it is likely that he looked in that…

A report released today by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau found that the Kuwaiti flag tanker Al Deerah, loaded with cargo, had grounded in the Tamar River, Tasmania on 30 April 2000 due to factors related to the tide and the rate of turn in the river. The effects of starboard rudder used in the turn off Garden Island, combined with differing tidal strengths at the bow and the stern of the vessel and the inability to reduce the rapid rate of turn, were the main factors. The accident happened when the tanker, inbound for Bell Bay on a flood tide, was following normal navigational…

An ATSB investigation has found that fatigue cracking in an XPT axle led to a minor derailment of an XPT passenger service from Melbourne to Sydney on 9 February 2006 at Harden. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation into the derailment concluded that train ST22 derailed as a result of the axle completely fracturing and eventually derailing one wheel. Subsequent examinations by RailCorp, the train operator, led to the discovery of thirteen other XPT power car axles with surface defects, or cracks initiated by surface defects, in highly stressed areas. The ATSBs examination of…

The final report on the Whyalla Airlines Piper Chieftain VH-MZK accident on 31 May 2000, in which all eight occupants died, was released today by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. ATSB Executive Director, Kym Bills, made the following statement: "The VH-MZK accident occurred after mechanical failures involving both engines forced the pilot to ditch the aircraft in Spencer Gulf, about 26km from Whyalla, on a dark, cloudy and moonless night. Based on careful analysis of the engine failures and recorded radar and audio data, it is likely that the left engine failed first as a result of a…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has found that an engine room fire that occurred on board the Antarctic resupply ship LAstrolabe, on 11 November 2006, was the result of a fuel leak on the starboard main engine. On 5 November 2006, the Antarctic supply ship LAstrolabe sailed from the French Antarctic base at Dumont dUrville, bound for Hobart, Tasmania. On 7 November, the engineers discovered that the starboard main engines main fuel pump was leaking. They blanked off the main fuel pump and ran the engine using another fuel pump. At about 0530 on 11 November, while the ship was…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) advised (Media Release of 10 April 2001) that it was widening the safety deficiency investigation that commenced on 11 January 2001 into airline aircraft maintenance requirements. The widening of the examination will include a review of procedures employed by manufacturers, regulatory and certifying authorities and airline operators. On two recent occasions, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority found it necessary to specifically mandate operator compliance with an aircraft manufacturer's airworthiness recommendation contained in a Service Bulletin…

A media conference discussing the progress of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Aero Commander fatal accident on 31 July 2007 will be held today, Wednesday 1 August 2007 Where: On the road between West Wallan and Clonbinane, East of Monument Hill in Victoria. (37deg 21.4S 145deg 05.8E) Time: 13:30 local time (Eastern Standard Time) Mr Alex Hood, the investigator in charge (IIC), will discuss factual information known to the investigation team at this time and will outline the investigation process. Any person/witness with information about the accident is encouraged to…

ATSB has received a large number of media calls referring to the article on page 1 of today's Sydney Morning Herald. The article incorrectly reflects the current status of ATSB's investigation and needs to be clarified. The ATSB's Executive Director has written a letter to the editor of the newspaper in the following terms: Editor Today's page 1 article "Ansett beats threat to shut it down" includes a number of statements purporting to reflect the current status of ATSB's investigation that are incorrect. ATSB's safety deficiency investigation was formally commenced on 11January2001 and…

Safety in Australian skies will be enhanced through a new aviation threat and error management (TEM) training course for passenger and general aviation operations, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, announced today. A media conference to launch the training package will be held today, Monday 20 August 2007 at the Human Factors in Transport 2007 Conference Where: Rendezvous Hotel, 328 Flinders Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Time: 13:30 local time The Executive Director of the ATSB, Mr Kym Bills and the chairman of the Australian region of the…

Colmar Bruton have advised the ATSB that they experienced problems with their survey website, which meant returns were not accepted between Friday 25 May and Wednesday 30 May, although the site appeared to function correctly. The problem has been rectified and the site is ready to receive your comments at http://surveys.cbr.com.au/atsb "CLOSED" The ATSB values your views and invites you to have your say about its reports. If you previously participated in the survey, we extend a special invitation to resubmit your response, and thank you for your patience. The survey will take no more than…