On 17 April 2017, The Australian published an article, “ATSB shuts down details on MH370 search” by Ean Higgins. That article contained misrepresentations. Mr Higgins stated that “(the) Australian Transport Safety Bureau has invoked draconian legislation in refusing to release material about its search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, warning that any bureau employee who provides such information to the public or a court could face two years in jail.” The ATSB did not issue any such warning. The Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 (TSI Act) applies to ATSB investigations and…

A story on ABC’s 7.30 program (7 March 2017) and an article on the ABC news website, “Air safety watchdog clearly failing”, contains inaccurate and misleading claims that require correction. Firstly, the reports quote Mr Neil Hansford as saying: "Until a case is resolved, there can be no remedial action taken by the relevant authorities, CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) or the Department of Transport or even private airport operators." In fact, the ATSB does not wait for an investigation to be completed to bring safety matters to the attention of operators and authorities. When the ATSB…

I am pleased to present the Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s (ATSB) Corporate Plan, which covers the period 2022-23 to 2025-26. This Corporate Plan has been prepared consistent with paragraph 35(1)(b) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and the relevant provisions of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 (the TSI Act), which establishes the ATSB. The Corporate Plan is also consistent with the Minister’s revised Statement of Expectations 2021–23 (SOE) for the ATSB, as notified under Section 12AE of the TSI Act. The SOE sets out clear…

Safety Advisory Notice To Beechcraft Baron operators Beechcraft Baron heater fuel supply line inspection The ATSB is encouraging Baron operators to inspect the heater fuel supply line and nearby wiring in the aircraft cockpit to reduce the risk of an in-flight fire. What happened At approximately 0835 on the morning of 16 April 2022, the pilot of a Beechcraft B58 Baron registered VH-NPT commenced an approach to Runway 12 at the East Kimberley Regional Airport near Kununurra. Upon selection of the landing gear to the down position the pilot reported multiple unusual…

The ATSB Annual Report 2021-22 outlines performance against the outcome and program structure in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts' Portfolio Budget Statements 2021–22 I am pleased to be able to introduce this annual report on the ATSB activities for 2021–22, a year that continued to present challenges not just for the agency but for the transport sectors we serve due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as well as challenging economic circumstances. I commenced my term as Chief Commissioner and Chief Executive…

Safety Advisory Notice Delayed flight crew responses can lead to hazardous high-speed rejected take-offs or flight with unreliable airspeed indications. What happened On the night of 18 July 2018, an Airbus A330 commenced take-off from Brisbane, Queensland with covers left on the aircraft’s three pitot probes (airspeed sensors). The primary flight displays showed red speed flags in place of the airspeed indication early in the take‑off, and either speed flags or unrealistically low airspeeds for the remainder of the flight. The standby airspeed display was also invalid…

Safety Advisory Notice A correctly fitted and secured flight helmet can significantly reduce injuries and save lives in the event of a serious incident or accident. But a helmet is only fully effective if it is fitted correctly, retained securely on the wearer’s head, and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Source: ATSB What happened On 31 July 2020, the pilot of a Robinson R44 helicopter was conducting aerial spraying along a property fence line. During the fifth spray load, as the helicopter descended from above trees to recommence spraying, it…

Safety Advisory Notice To Rollingstock Operators Number: RO-2020-022-SAN-002 Unknown functions in locomotive braking systems An ongoing investigation, conducted by NSW’s Office of Transport Safety Investigations on behalf of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, highlights risks associated with misunderstood functionality of locomotive braking systems. Locomotive drivers require a clear understanding of the braking systems on all the locomotives they are operating. What happened On 15 December 2020 a loaded grain train derailed whilst descending…

Safety Advisory Notice Loss of drive to the main rotor system What happened On 14 February 2022, the pilot of a Garlick Helicopters UH-1H was providing aerial firefighting support to combat the ‘Labrina’ bushfire that had developed north of Launceston, Tasmania. That afternoon, the pilot was tasked to firebomb a localised hot-spot that had developed within the fireground. Witnesses both on the ground, and within a nearby helicopter, observed the early release of the water load from the underslung bucket, before the UH-1H commenced a left turn and descended toward nearby open…

Safety Advisory Notice To aerobatic pilots and instructors All aircraft types do not spin and recover in the same way. Know your aeroplane type, what recovery techniques will work and what recovery techniques will not work. What happened On 23 June 2021, while conducting spin entry and recovery training from 5,800 ft above ground level, the Cessna A150M Aerobat did not fully recover from a spin to the left before impacting terrain. Factors uncovered during the investigation The aerobatics instructor was experienced in conducting spins, primarily in the Pitts Special aircraft type…