Incapacitation of a pilot due to the effects of a medical condition or a physiological impairment represents a serious potential threat to flight safety. The purpose of this research project was to investigate the prevalence, type, nature and significance of in-flight medical conditions and incapacitation events occurring in civil aviation. A search of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau's accident and incident database was conducted for medical conditions and incapacitation events between 1 January 1975 and 31 March 2006. There were 98 occurrences in which the pilot of the aircraft was…

Regional airline operations globally have expanded over the past decade for various reasons, including filling gaps left by legacy carriers who have reduced services on unprofitable routes, opportunities provided through other cost based market rationalisations, and the introduction of new and more capable regional type aircraft. Very little formal research has been done in Australia or overseas to assist with the development of safety models and tools for regional airline operations. Regional Express (REX) is a relatively new airline that was created by merging two separate and culturally…

Each year the United States' Aircraft Owner's and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Foundation releases a report summarising the accident trends and factors for general aviation (GA) for the previous calendar year. The Nall Report has established itself as one of the aviation community's benchmark reports and its release is anticipated across the industry. The report provides essential data in an easy-to-read format, giving a broad overview of the state of general aviation and safety trends in the US. As part of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau's (ATSB) mission to enhance public…

This aim of the study was to provide objective data to inform fatigue risk-management processes by determining the quantity and quality of sleep obtained by airline pilots during transcontinental back of clock operations, and any changes to subjective fatigue and neurobehavioural performance during these sectors. Typical transcontinental back of clock route pairings involve a departure close to midnight Perth local time, with a dawn arrival into an East-coast city such as Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane. In many instances this first sector is followed by a second sector to another east-coast…

The Robinson R22 helicopter is the most common model of rotary-wing aircraft on the Australian register and has been a popular choice for private operations, flying training and various types of aerial work activity. The R22 has a relatively good safety record compared with other light piston-engine helicopters in Australia based on activity levels. The R22 is also the favoured type for aerial stock mustering operations - an uniquely Australian application that supports the local beef cattle industry. Despite its popularity in this type of work, little was known about the helicopter's…

Following three breakdown of separation occurrences in the airspace of the Sydney Terminal Area (TMA), the Bureau of Air Safety Investigation (BASI) initiated a systemic investigation into the common factors underlying those occurrences. The investigation commenced on 22 June 1998 and was completed by 31 July 1998. Three further occurrences were identified during the course of the investigation. The systemic investigation has identified safety deficiencies primarily related to the management of change, and the rate and complexity of change faced by air traffic controllers operating in the…

This study provides a systematic analysis of the types of human error occurring in Australian civil aviation accidents. It also compares these results against a larger sample of accidents occurring in the United States. Inevitably, all humans make errors. But safety can be enhanced when the number and consequences of these errors are reduced. This paper aims to enhance aviation safety through extending our knowledge of aircrew errors. While the types of accidents and flying operations varied slightly between Australia and the US, the pattern of aircrew errors were remarkably similar. Skill-…

The purpose of this report was to examine the relationship between ageing aircraft and flight safety, to determine the chronological age of the Australian aircraft fleet, and to review current and future directions for the management of ageing aircraft. Age can be managed by retiring the aircraft and purchasing a newer aircraft or through adequately maintaining ageing aircraft through additional and specific maintenance. This requires cooperation between regulators, manufactures, maintainers, operators, and owners. Continuing airworthiness programmes and Supplementary Inspection Programmes…

The details of 75 fatal aeroplane accidents were extracted from the BASI database. The largest proportion (36%) of the accidents occurred on private/business flights. The three most frequent first occurrences in accidents were loss of control; collision with terrain (control unknown); and wirestrike. Most accidents had more than one contributing factor. Over 70% of the accidents involved pilot factors. The most common pilot factors related to poor judgement and decision making. In recent years, BASI has recognised that while pilot factors are of great importance, accidents frequently have…

A review of existing Commonwealth, State and Territory legislation relating to the transport of dangerous goods by rail, was undertaken. The review provides an overview of the status, coverage and adequacy of existing rail dangerous goods transport legislation. The review also examines options for the development of a nationally uniform regulatory regime for rail dangerous goods transport operations. Issues relating to inter-modal harmony with the road transport sector, and legislative options to achieve uniformity are also discussed. The review concludes that a nationally uniform rail…