Media statements

The ATSB supports safety recommendations the SA Coroner has made today that reinforce those by the ATSB, but disagrees with some of the Coroner's key conclusions.

Partnerships & Cooperation in an Environment of Resource Constraints & Security Imperatives

• There is a tension between independent safety investigation with accident site control and other legitimate investigation that entails cooperation

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been advised of a fatal aviation accident involving a Piper Seneca aircraft, VH-CTT which occurred at Bankstown Airport at about 12.52 (AEDST) today.

At this point in time details available to the Bureau are sketchy.

The ATSB's report into the Epping rail accident reinforces the limitations of reliance on automatic train stops and 'deadman's handle' devices in the event of driver incapacitation and highlights the importance of improving these defences as well as medical standards and processes for train crew.

The supplementary ATSB investigation report into the Whyalla Airlines fatal accident tabled in the Senate today confirms the likelihood of the ATSB's accident scenario in its December 2001 report in contrast to the findings of the SA State Coroner in July 2003.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has received international recognition for outstanding work in its Investigation into Ansett Australia maintenance safety deficiencies and the control of continuing airworthiness of Class A aircraft report.

Speech given to International Transport Safety Association by Kym Bills Executive Director, Australian Transport Safety Bureau

15 May 2007

Rail 2007, Sydney NSW, 3 April 2007

Presentation given by Mr Kym Bills,

Executive Director

Australian Transport Safety Bureau

Department of Transport and Regional Services

Speech presented 7 Aug 2006

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