Promoting safety across the Australian helicopter industry, the ATSB has landed at Rotortech 2018 – the Australian Helicopter Industry Association's (AHIA) biennial conference and exposition.
Held at the Novotel Twin Waters on the Sunshine Coast across 24-26 May, Rotortech 2018 attracted more than 500 local and international delegates with interests in the helicopter industry.
ATSB Chief Commissioner, Mr Greg Hood, presented an overview of the Bureau and its role as the nation’s accident investigator to a large audience on day one of the three-day event. During his presentation, Mr Hood also discussed the trend in helicopter accidents in Australia over the past decade and provided an update on several active investigations.
"This was the first time the ATSB has spoken at a Rotortech in its current form," Mr Hood said. "I would like to thank Paul Tyrell, the Chief Executive Officer of the AHIA, for the invitation to engage with the association's members and visitors at Rotortech. I look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with the AHIA and its members, and for the ATSB to be involved in future Rotortech events.
"In the past decade, there has been 361 helicopter ‘accidents’ in Australia - that’s an average of about 36 accidents per year. As of last week, there's been seven helicopter accidents in 2018, two of which have been fatal. We are now approaching almost the halfway mark for the calendar year, and we're on track to recording a below average accident rate, which is a great sign."
A highlight of his presentation, Mr Hood jointly launched 'Don't push it, land it' , important safety messaging that encourages helicopter pilots to make a safe precautionary landing if they encounter an abnormal situation in flight.
"In conjunction with the AHIA and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, I was pleased to launch ‘Don’t push it, land it’, which encourage pilots to use their helicopter’s unique ability to land almost anywhere if it’s not right in flight," Mr Hood said. "Whether they inadvertently fly into instrument meteorological conditions or if something concerns them with their aircraft, our message is clear, make a safe precautionary landing and sort it out on the ground.
"I would personally like to acknowledge and thank Dick Smith, who was the driver and advocate for the ‘Don’t push it, land it’ safety messaging. Over the coming months, the ATSB, CASA and the AHIA will continue to work together in an effort to reduce the rate of avoidable helicopter accidents."
Inside the exposition hall, the ATSB showcased the vital work of its transport safety investigators at its display stand alongside the promotion of 'don't push it, land it'.