At approximately 0400 Eastern Standard Time today the Australian Transport Safety Bureau was notified of a in-flight windscreen fire in an Airbus A330 aircraft that was en route from Osaka, Japan to Coolangatta, Australia. The incident occurred at about 0220 and the flight crew diverted to Guam where the 13 crew and 185 passengers disembarked safely. There are no reported injuries. The ATSB has commenced an investigation in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization Annex 13 on the understanding that the event took place over international waters. The ATSB has notified the US…

At approximately 0700 on Thursday 22 June, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) received a report of a possible collision between and cargo ship and a fishing vessel off the north coast of NSW in the early hours of 21 June. A crew member of the fishing vessel was picked up last night after spending 18 hours in a dingy. There is still one crew member missing and AusSar have a search in progress using 6 helicopters and 3 fixed wing aircraft. Some wreckage has been recovered. The ATSB has sent 2 investigators to the north coast of NSW to commence an investigation. In accordance with…

Last night, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) was informed that a Cessna 206 aircraft had disappeared from radar near Cairns at approximately 6:51pm EST. The weather at the time was reported to be very poor, with low cloud, restricted visibility and heavy rain. It is believed that there were 2 persons on board the aircraft and search and rescue operation was commenced immediately. This morning, Queensland police reported that one body and a small amount of aircraft wreckage had been recovered. ATSB investigators, specialising in Air Traffic Control and operations are enroute to…

A media conference to release the Preliminary Factual Report on the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the A340-500 Tail Strike at Melbourne Airport on 20 March 2009, will be held on: Thursday 30 April 2009 Where: ATSB offices, Level 2, 62 Northbourne Avenue, CANBERRA Time: 10:30 am (local time) Mr Julian Walsh, Director of Aviation Safety Investigation will discuss factual information known to the investigation team at this time and will outline the investigation process.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has commenced an investigation into a reported loss of power at the Sydney Air Traffic Services Centre. The ATSB investigation team includes investigators with specialist Air Traffic Control and Engineering skills. One aspect of the investigation will involve the highly technical Australian Advanced Air Traffic System (TAAATS) environment, consequently it is appropriate and necessary that the team include investigators with specialist skills in that area. One investigator's skills were developed during previous employment with Airservices Australia in…

On Sunday afternoon 6 August, the ATSB was notified that a helicopter had crashed at approximately 6:04 pm EST. The helicopter is believed to have been on a scenic flight with a pilot and four passengers when it crashed near Norman Reef approximately 30 NM NNE of Cairns. All occupants were quickly rescued. ATSB investigators, specialising in engineering and operations have commenced an investigation.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau was advised on 27 December 2008 of an occurrence that day involving a Qantas Airbus A330-300 aircraft while in cruise at FL360 (36,000 ft) enroute from Perth to Singapore. At about 0829 UTC (1729 Local Time), the autopilot disconnected and the crew received an ECAM message (NAV IR 1 Fault) indicating a problem with ADIRU Number 1. The crew actioned the Airbus Operations Engineering Bulletin (OEB) procedure by selecting the IR 1 push-button to OFF and the ADR 1 push-button to OFF. Both OFF lights illuminated. The crew elected to return to Perth and an…

The ATSB has a team of four investigators at the site of the Beech King Air accident near Normanton in Queensland. The team will be examining the aircraft and its systems. Based on initial information, pilot and passenger incapacitation will also be considered. In June 1999 another Beech King Air was involved in an incident where the cabin pressurisation system did not operate and the pilot became temporarily incapacitated. Although the final report is yet to be released, the ATSB issued interim recommendations on 28 July and 7 October 1999 regarding: a) the fitment of passenger oxygen mask…

At approx 1150 pm (Eastern Daylight Saving Time) on Monday 4 September, the ATSB was advised by Air Traffic Control that a Beech King Air on a flight from Perth to Leonora had climbed through it's assigned flight level and continued on a NE heading beyond Leonora. Attempts to contact the pilot by radio were unsuccessful. The aircraft with one pilot and 7 passengers had departed Perth at 6.16 pm (Perth Time). It remained airborne for about 5 hours. Wreckage was located 80 NM SW of Normanton in Queensland. An initial team of four ATSB investigators is expected to arrive at the site later today.

The ATSB has a team of four investigators at the site of the Beech King Air accident near Normanton in Queensland. The team will be examining the aircraft and its systems. Based on initial information, pilot and passenger incapacitation will also be considered. In June 1999 another Beech King Air was involved in an incident where the cabin pressurisation system did not operate and the pilot became temporarily incapacitated. Although the final report is yet to be released, the ATSB issued interim recommendations on 28 July and 7 October 1999 regarding: a) the fitment of passenger oxygen mask…