The quality of a safety investigation's analysis activities plays a critical role in determining whether the investigation is successful in enhancing safety. However, safety investigations require analysis of complex sets of data and situations where the available data can be vague, incomplete and misleading. Despite its importance, complexity, and reliance on investigators' judgements, analysis has been a neglected area in terms of standards, guidance and training of investigators in most organisations that conduct safety investigations. To address this situation, the Australian Transport…

The ATSB has changed the way in which aviation statistics are presented. This report represents the first in an ongoing series of reports provided in the new format. The report encompasses a rolling 10-year reporting cycle and replaces all individual spreadsheets previously available. This report provides aviation accident and incident, collectively termed occurrence, data for the period 1 January 1998 to 30 June 2008. This data was provided to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau by 'responsible persons' as defined in the Transport Safety Investigation Regulations 2003, Part 2.5. The data…

This report analyses birdstrikes reported to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau between 2002 and 2006. In Australia, over the last five years, the number of birdstrike occurrences reported annually to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has risen from approximately 750 in 2002 to 1,200 in 2006. The report includes bird and bat strikes that occurred in Australian territory involving VH- and overseas registered aircraft. It excludes strikes involving non VH-registered Australian aircraft and those involving VH-registered aircraft that occurred overseas. Birdstrikes were analysed…

Each year, 'responsible persons', as defined in the Transport Safety Investigation Regulations 2003, Part 2.5, provide the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) with reports on aviation accidents and incidents, collectively termed occurrences. These reports are used by the ATSB to assist with the independent investigation of occurrences and for identifying safety trends. This report provides aviation occurrence data for the period 1 January 1999 to 30 June 2009. The data contained herein is dynamic and subject to change pending the provision of new information to the ATSB. The data will…

This information bulletin is designed for cabin crew and will supplement your airline's cabin crew emergency procedures manual and should enhance your knowledge about what can occur during an aircraft depressurisation. Why are aircraft pressurised? Modern aircraft are designed to fly at high altitudes. For example, a Boeing 747 aircraft normally cruises at an altitude of 28,000 – 35,000 ft. This is because aircraft consume less fuel and fly in relatively smooth air, avoiding bad weather and turbulence. However, the human body is not designed to survive at such high…

In 2007 the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) produced the inaugural edition of Australian Aviation Safety in Review as part of the ATSB's role to enhance public awareness of aviation safety. The Review has been developed to provide a readily accessible analysis of the Australian aviation sector, with a strong focus on safety trends. This publication covers all major categories of aircraft operations, from regular public transport (RPT) to general aviation (GA), and includes some information about sports aviation. Demographic and activity data on Australian aviation is provided in…

Maintenance is essential to aviation safety, yet improper maintenance contributes to a significant proportion of aviation accidents and incidents. This is because a small percentage of maintenance tasks are performed incorrectly or are omitted due to human error. Examples include parts installed incorrectly, missing parts, and the omission of necessary checks. While precise statistics are unavailable, it is likely that the great majority of maintenance errors are inconsequential, however, a small proportion present significant safety threats. In comparison to many other threats to aviation…

This report provides aviation accident and incident, collectively termed occurrence, data for the period 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2008. This data was provided to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau by 'responsible persons' as defined in the Transport Safety Investigation Regulations 2003, Part 2.5. The data excludes non-VH registered operations in the sport aviation category, and is current as at 31 December 2008. The data will be adjusted quarterly to reflect new information received during the reporting period. Aviation Statistics Usage Survey: The purpose of this survey is to…

This study reviewed safety trends in the Australian aviation charter industry for the period 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2006. It builds on a previous descriptive study that reviewed immediately reportable matters (IRMs) for regular public transport (RPT) aviation operations. Together, charter and RPT operations make up the air transport sector in Australia. Similar to the previous report, a subset of generally more serious IRMs were reviewed including: accidents; violations of controlled airspace (VCA); breakdowns of separation (BOS) and airproxes; fire, smoke, explosions or fumes; crew…

ATSB Comment: The ATSB raised the following concern on behalf of several reporters. Initially focussed on the collection and analysis of data related to COVID-19 vaccines, the scope of the REPCON was broadened to include all approved medication and vaccines. The ATSB is satisfied that a framework is in place to identify the suitability of medication/vaccines for use in the operational environment and the available guidance clearly defines the guiding principles and considerations when determining the suitability of medications for use by medical certificate holders. The responsibility for…