The ATSB will investigate a mid-air collision between two light aircraft, a Jabiru and a Cessna 182, south-west of Sydney on Saturday.
A team of transport safety investigators from the ATSB's Canberra office, with experience in aircraft operations and maintenance, is preparing to deploy to the accident sites of both aircraft to begin evidence-collecting activities.
Over coming days, investigators will undertake site mapping, examine the wreckage of both aircraft, and recover any relevant components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra.
Investigators will also seek to interview any witnesses and involved parties, and collect relevant recorded information including any air traffic control and flight tracking data, as well as pilot and aircraft maintenance records, and weather information.
The ATSB asks anyone who may have witnessed and has footage of the accident, or who has footage of either aircraft in any phase of their flights, to contact us via the witness form on our website at their earliest convenience.
The ATSB will release a preliminary report detailing factual information established in the investigation’s evidence-gathering phase in about two months. A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation and will detail analysis and findings.
However, if at any point during the investigation we uncover any critical safety issues we will immediately inform relevant parties so they can take safety actions.