Research of accidents into water has shown that occupants who survive the initial impact will likely have to make an in-water or underwater escape, as helicopters usually rapidly roll inverted post-impact. The research has also shown that drowning is the primary cause of death following a helicopter accident into water. Sonar image of helicopter on seabed Source: Pilbara Ports Authority and contractors working on their behalf What happened On 14 March 2018, at about 2330 Western Standard Time, an Eurocopter EC135 helicopter, registered VH‑ZGA departed Port Hedland…

Why we have done this report Occurrences involving aircraft striking wildlife, particularly birds, are the most common aviation occurrence reported to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). Strikes with birds continue to be a potential safety risk and present a significant economic risk for aerodrome and airline operators. The aim of the ATSB’s statistical report series is to provide information back to pilots, aerodrome and airline operators, regulators, and other aviation industry participants to assist them with managing the risks associated with bird and animal strikes. This…

Why the ATSB did this research This is the second in a series of research investigations looking at technical failures reported to the ATSB. This report reviews power plant problems affecting turboprop‑powered aircraft between 2012 and 2016. By summarising power plant-related occurrences, this report provides an opportunity for operators to compare their own experiences with others flying the same or similar aircraft types, or aircraft using the same engines. By doing so, the ATSB hopes that the wider aviation industry will be able to learn from the experience of others. What the ATSB found A…

Since the publication of the ATSB report A safety analysis of remotely piloted aircraft systems 2012 to 2016 (AR-2017-016) in March 2017, the ATSB has observed a significant change in the trend of reported occurrences involving Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). Contrary to the previous report, our most current forecasts predict the total number of RPAS occurrences reported to the ATSB in 2017 to be comparable to 2016. Due to this new information and the lack of data present in the public arena, the ATSB opted to publish a new edition of the report detailing our current understanding…

The Aviation Short Investigation Bulletin covers a range of the ATSB’s short investigations and highlights valuable safety lessons for pilots, operators and safety managers. Released periodically, the Bulletin provides a summary of the less-complex factual investigation reports conducted by the ATSB. The results, based on information supplied by organisations or individuals involved in the occurrence, detail the facts behind the event, as well as any safety actions undertaken. The Bulletin also highlights important Safety Messages for the broader aviation community, drawing on earlier ATSB…

The Aviation Short Investigation Bulletin covers a range of the ATSB’s short investigations and highlights valuable safety lessons for pilots, operators and safety managers. Released periodically, the Bulletin provides a summary of the less-complex factual investigation reports conducted by the ATSB. The results, based on information supplied by organisations or individuals involved in the occurrence, detail the facts behind the event, as well as any safety actions undertaken. The Bulletin also highlights important Safety Messages for the broader aviation community, drawing on earlier ATSB…

The Aviation Short Investigation Bulletin covers a range of the ATSB’s short investigations and highlights valuable safety lessons for pilots, operators and safety managers. Released periodically, the Bulletin provides a summary of the less-complex factual investigation reports conducted by the ATSB. The results, based on information supplied by organisations or individuals involved in the occurrence, detail the facts behind the event, as well as any safety actions undertaken. The Bulletin also highlights important Safety Messages for the broader aviation community, drawing on earlier ATSB…

The Aviation Short Investigation Bulletin covers a range of the ATSB’s short investigations and highlights valuable safety lessons for pilots, operators and safety managers. Released periodically, the Bulletin provides a summary of the less-complex factual investigation reports conducted by the ATSB. The results, based on information supplied by organisations or individuals involved in the occurrence, detail the facts behind the event, as well as any safety actions undertaken. The Bulletin also highlights important Safety Messages for the broader aviation community, drawing on earlier ATSB…

What happened In the early hours of 14 July 2015, the offshore support vessel (OSV) Skandi Pacific was loading cargo from an oil rig about 165 km off Australia’s north-west coast. As the weather deteriorated, cargo operations were stopped and the OSV moved a short distance from the rig. Two crewmembers then began securing the cargo on the vessel’s aft deck. While securing the cargo, the crewmembers slackened the securing chain they had used to secure the containers on the starboard side to better secure the entire stow. Shortly after, two large waves came over Skandi Pacific’s open stern,…

Why have we done this report Thousands of safety occurrences involving Australian-registered and foreign aircraft are reported to the ATSB every year by individuals and organisations in Australia’s aviation industry, and by the public. The aim of the ATSB’s statistical report series is to give information back to pilots, operators, regulators, and other aviation industry participants on what accidents and incidents have happened, how often they are happening, and what we can learn from them. What the ATSB found In 2015, Australia had 31 fatalities and 32 serious injuries – 28 aircraft were…