View on Australian Government Transparency Portal The ATSB Annual Report 2019–20 outlines performance against the outcome and program structure in the Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities Portfolio Budget Statements 2019–20. In a time of great uncertainty due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, I am proud to report that in 2019–20 the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has been able to continue our focus on improving transport safety through the independent investigation of accidents and incidents, with minimal impact on our productivity and performance. With many ATSB…

The ATSB Annual Report 2020–21 outlines performance against the outcome and program structure in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications Portfolio Budget Statements 2020–21.  View on Australian Government Transparency portal Chief Commissioner's review 2020–21 I am pleased to deliver this annual report for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), my first as Chief Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer. While continuing to navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020–21 saw the ATSB commence, progress and complete a series…

Safety Advisory Notice Yakovlev Aircraft Factories Yak-52 owners and maintainers Elevator bellcranks manufactured from aluminium alloy, fitted to Yakovlev Aircraft Factories Yak-52 aircraft, are known to crack. Periodic inspections are important for detecting the presence of fatigue cracking early and ultimately preventing the failure of the component in-flight. What happened On 5 June 2019, the pilot and passenger of a Yakovlev Aircraft Factories Yak-52 aircraft, departed Southport airfield, Queensland, for a private aerobatic flight. During the flight, the aircraft collided with water…

Safety Advisory Notice To R44 helicopter operators Fatigue cracking in an R44 helicopter clutch shaft resulted in the total loss of drive to the main rotor system while airborne. What happened On the morning of 22 December 2020, the pilot of a Robinson R44 helicopter was conducting aerial agricultural spray operations on a property 13 km south‑east of Clare Valley Aerodrome, South Australia. After completing numerous spray runs throughout the morning, the pilot was preparing to land the helicopter adjacent to a loading vehicle for replenishment of…

Safety Advisory Notice To owners and maintainers of Stolp Acroduster SA-700/750 aircraft Stolp Acroduster upper-wing attachment point, eye bolt fatigue cracking resulted in an in-flight break-up. What happened On 18 August 2021, an amateur-built Stolp Acroduster II SA-750, registered VH-YEL, departed Caboolture Airfield, Queensland, Australia for an aerobatic flight, with the pilot being the sole occupant. A short time later the aircraft sustained an in-flight break-up. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was fatally injured. Why did it happen The centre section…

The primary mechanism for the prevention of carbon monoxide exposure to aircraft occupants is to carry out regular inspections of piston-engine exhaust systems to identify and repair holes and cracks, and to detect breaches in the firewall between the engine compartment and the cabin. What happened On the afternoon of 31 December 2017, the pilot and five passengers of a DHC-2 Beaver floatplane, registered VH-NOO, boarded the aircraft for a charter flight from Cottage Point to Rose Bay, New South Wales. The aircraft taxied for about 7 minutes. Shortly after take-off, the aircraft deviated…

Safety Summary Why the ATSB undertook this research On 6 April 2020, the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements (RCNDA) issued a notice to give information to the ATSB. Within this notice, was the requirement to ‘describe any key operational and safety challenges encountered in coordinating and responding to fires associated with the use of aircraft and aerial fire fighting techniques’. This statistical report forms part of the ATSB’s response to the Royal Commission’s notice to give information. In addition, since 2018 the ATSB has commenced six investigations involving…

The purpose of this report Each year, thousands of safety occurrences involving Australian aircraft and foreign‑registered aircraft operating in Australia are reported to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). This report is part of a series that aims to provide information and statistical data to the aviation industry, manufacturers and policy makers, as well as to the travelling and general public, about these aviation safety occurrences. In particular, the data can be used to determine what can be learned to improve transport safety in the aviation sector. The study uses…

Safety Advisory Notice The ATSB advises all commercial balloon operators utilising vehicle‑assisted deflation to review their current operational practices with the aim of mitigating the safety risks associated with the procedure. What happened On 16 March 2019, two passengers were seriously injured when the basket of a Kavanagh B‑400 hot‑air balloon tipped over during vehicle-assisted deflation. Prior to the accident, the balloon, operated as a scenic charter flight, landed without incident at a private property near Coldstream, Victoria. Due to a lack of wind and the large size of the…

Safety Advisory Notice The ATSB advises helicopter operators involved in hoist operations that improper stowage of the rescue hoist hook assembly can lead to excessive movement and accelerated wear of the wire rope. If undetected, the wear and associated damage can significantly reduce the cable integrity and operational safety of the hoist system. Should the cable fail while under load during operation, personnel being winched may sustain serious or fatal injuries. Rescue hoist and hook assembly Source: NSW Parks and Wildlife Service What happened On 4 February 2020, an Airbus Helicopters…