Date
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media@atsb.gov.au

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has commenced a transport safety investigation into a serious incident involving a Saab 340 turboprop passenger aircraft during take-off from Canberra Airport on Thursday morning.     

As reported to the ATSB, during take-off a ratchet strap that was not removed from one of the aircraft’s propellers struck the aircraft’s fuselage. The aircraft returned to Canberra Airport.  

 Transport safety investigators from the ATSB’s Canberra office have deployed to Canberra Airport to inspect the aircraft, to begin the process of interviewing the flight crew and passengers, and to gather other relevant information for the investigation.    

 The ATSB will publish a final report, detailing contributing factors and any identified safety issues, at the conclusion of the investigation.    

However, should any critical safety issues be identified at any stage during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken.  

The ATSB conducts ‘no blame’ transport safety investigations into aviation, marine and rail accidents and incidents for the greatest public benefit, and prioritises its resources on occurrences that are most likely to identify broader, systemic safety issues