A team of four ATSB investigators has commenced the investigation into the occurrence involving a QANTAS A380 aircraft that sustained an engine failure shortly after departing Singapore yesterday, en route to Australia. The investigators arrived in Singapore overnight and commenced examining the aircraft this afternoon. Speaking today in Canberra at a media conference, Mr Ian Sangston, General Manager Aviation Safety Investigations, said "an investigation of this complexity can take up to a year to complete. However, should any critical safety issues emerge, the ATSB will immediately bring…

A booklet released today by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) reminds pilots of their responsibilities and the precautions they need to observe around aerodromes which do not have air traffic control towers. "Generally, operations at non-towered aerodromes can be considered to be safe," said Martin Dolan, the Chief Commissioner of the ATSB. "Continued safety relies on all pilots maintaining awareness of their surroundings and of other aircraft, and on their flying in compliance with procedures, while being observant, courteous and cooperative." Because Australia's population is…

The rupture of an oxygen cylinder on board a Qantas Boeing 747 was a unique event and highly unlikely to happen again according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). On 25 July 2008, an oxygen cylinder ruptured in the plane's forward cargo hold about an hour into a flight from Hong Kong to Melbourne. Part of the ruptured cylinder punctured the fuselage wall and damaged the cabin, causing the plane to rapidly depressurise. The plane then made an emergency descent and landed at the nearest suitable airport in Manila, Philippines. None of the 369 passengers and crew on board were…

The ATSB today released its preliminary investigation report into the 30 August 2010 incident involving an Australian operated Boeing 747 aircraft that experienced an engine failure not long after leaving San Francisco, en route to Sydney. The preliminary report reveals the number 4 (right most) engine sustained an internal mechanical failure in the turbine area, rupturing the casing and ejecting debris that punctured a hole in the cowling. The plane's flaps and wing skin also incurred minor damage. The initial ATSB…

On Monday 22 November, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will hold a media briefing to accompany the release of its final investigation report into the 25 July 2008 occurrence onboard Qantas Flight QF30. The occurrence involved an oxygen cylinder rupture 55 minutes into a flight from Hong Kong to Melbourne. ATSB Chief Commissioner Mr Martin Dolan will outline the investigation process and provide insight into the findings of the investigation. Where: 62 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City, ACT(ATSB Central Office) Time:…

A new report released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) today highlights ways to manage the risks posed by birds hitting aircraft. The report also reveals that the reported number of aircraft hitting birds (or 'birdstrikes') in Australia has steadily increased over the past eight years. The report, which provides aviation birdstrike and animal strike occurrence data between January 2002 and December 2009, shows that in 2009…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) today released its final investigation report into the 9 September 2009 collision between the Australian registered yacht Ella's Pink Lady and the Hong Kong registered bulk carrier Silver Yang off Point Lookout, Queensland. The ATSB investigation found that when the two vessels collided, neither the yacht's skipper nor the ship's watch keepers were keeping a proper lookout, nor were they appropriately using navigational aids to manage the risk of collision. The investigation also found that following the…

The ATSB is investigating an accident involving a Piper PA-31P aircraft that occurred at Canley Heights in NSW this morning.   It was reported that the aircraft had two people on board and had departed from Bankstown Aerodrome in NSW.   The pilot reported to air traffic control that the aircraft had sustained an engine problem would be returning to Bankstown. Shortly after the aircraft collided with the ground and caught fire in the vicinity of Canley Vale Road and Sackville Roads, Canley Vale Heights.…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) today released the preliminary factual report into the 15 June 2010 aircraft accident that killed a pilot and a flight nurse in Canley Vale, NSW. The report presents the facts of the accident gathered by the ATSB's initial investigation. The investigation is continuing. The ATSB will examine the recovered aircraft components, maintenance records and operational issues. Investigators will also review the operator's flight crew training records and conduct further analysis…

The ATSB has commenced an investigation into an aircraft accident involving a Cessna 172 that occurred about 110 km south of Broken Hill in NSW. The aircraft was reported missing on Monday, 21 June after it departed from Woolcunda Station in NSW earlier that day. It was found by search and rescue crews this morning, partially submerged in a lake. The status of the pilot, the only person on board, is not yet known. NSW Police are travelling to the scene. The ATSB has dispatched four investigators to the accident site. They expect to be at the site for…