Aviation
A new ATSB research investigation report analyses the 37 midair collisions in Australia from 1961 to 2003. None involved scheduled passenger (RPT) aircraft and over three quarters involved general aviation aircraft that collided in good weather in or near the circuit area of an airport.
An ATSB interim factual investigation report has found that the airspace incident near Brisbane on 7 April involving a B737 and a Lancair aircraft was not an 'airprox' event.
The ATSB has found that the Bankstown midair collision accident was the result of a Piper Warrior passing through the extended centreline of runway 29 centre, to which the pilot had been cleared, and continuing on to the extended centreline of runway 29 left.
ATSB analysis indicates no adverse safety trend since NAS stage 2b was introduced on 27 November 2003 based on the ATSB's preliminary review of its aviation safety occurrence database, including an examination of TCAS resolution advisory alerts.
Today the ATSB is issuing a preliminary report of the investigation into the accident involving an Aero Commander 500-S, registered VH-LST.
The accident occurred on 19 February 2004, at about 1700 Eastern Summer Time (ESuT), approximately 58km NNW of Hobart Aerodrome.
The ATSB has found that the Hamilton Island accident in which six people died was the result of a low altitude stall. The tragedy provides an important opportunity to highlight some dangers to flight safety including post-alcohol impairment, cannabis, and fatigue.
The ATSB has found that the Moorabbin fatal accident was mainly the result of a lack of pilot situational awareness related to different aircraft night training circuit sizes.
A final ATSB investigation report into a serious incident involving a Saab passenger flight in June 2002 has found that pilots lost control because of low airspeed, airframe icing and the operation of the aircraft autopilot system, and that they did not receive a prior stall warning.
The ATSB's final investigation report has found that a Boeing 737 passenger aircraft that overran the runway in Darwin in June 2002 did so because of a high approach speed, an inaccurate and unstabilised approach, and poor crew resource management.
The ATSB investigation has classified the airspace incident near Launceston on 24 December as a 'serious incident' and has recommended a review of certain aspects of NAS airspace implementation in Class E airspace including education, training and chart frequency material.
