The following is the text of the media briefing given by Ms Kerryn Macaulay, Director, Strategy and Capability, at 10am 14 November 2008. Good morning. I am releasing the Australian Transport Safety Bureau's Preliminary Factual Report on the in-flight upset of an Airbus A330 aircraft, registered as VH-QPA, which occurred 154 km west of Learmonth, Western Australia, while being operated on a scheduled passenger flight (Qantas Flight 72) from Singapore to Perth on 7 October 2008. The ATSB immediately commenced an…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau was advised yesterday afternoon of an occurrence involving an Airbus A330-300 aircraft while on a flight from Singapore to Perth, operating as Qantas Flight 72. The aircraft, which had 303 passengers and 10 crew on board, was in normal level flight at 37,000 ft about 110 nautical miles north of Carnarvon and 80 nautical miles from Learmonth near Exmouth in north-western Australia, when the pilots received electronic centralised aircraft monitoring messages in the cockpit relating to some irregularity with the aircraft's elevator control system. The…

The ATSB has found that a collision between The Ghan passenger train and a loaded sewage truck occurred when the driver of the truck drove into the path of the train at a private road level crossing at 'Murrow Farm' near Two Wells in SA. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has today released its final investigation report into the collision which occurred on 6 August 2007 seriously injuring the truck driver. At the time of the accident road traffic at the level crossing was controlled by 'Stop' signs. The ATSB found that the truck driver did not stop…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has been notified of an incident involving a Qantas Airbus A330 aircraft on a flight from Singapore to Perth. While cruising in level flight, the aircraft experienced a sudden in-flight upset, resulting in injuries to a number of cabin crew and passengers, primarily in the rear of the aircraft. The crew declared a MAYDAY and diverted the aircraft to Learmonth, near Exmouth in WA, where it landed without further incident. Early reports indicate that three cabin crew and approximately 30 passengers sustained…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation is progressing. The aircraft's Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) arrived in Canberra late on Wednesday evening. Downloading and preliminary analysis overnight has revealed good data from both recorders. Data from the FDR has been provided to Qantas, the French Bureau d'Enqu'tes et d'Analyses (BEA) and Airbus as parties to the investigation. While the full interpretation and analysis of the recorded data will take some time, preliminary review of the data indicates that after the aircraft climbed about 200 feet from…

On Friday, 14 November 2008 at 10.00 am AEDT (local time), the ATSB will conduct a media conference to release its preliminary safety investigation Report into the circumstances surrounding the in-flight upset accident of an Airbus A330-303 aircraft near Learmonth in Western Australia on 7 October 2008. When: Friday 14 November 2008 Where: 62 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City ACT (New ATSB Headquarters) Time: 10.00 am AEDT (local time) Ms Kerryn Macaulay, ATSB Director, Strategy and Capability, will present and…

On Friday 23 May 2008 at 10.30 am AEST, the ATSB will hold a media conference to release its final investigation Report into the grounding of the Panamanian registered bulk carrier Pasha Bulker on Nobby's Beach, Newcastle, New South Wales on 8 June 2007. When: Friday 23 May 2008 Where: 15 Mort Street, Canberra, ACT (ATSB Headquarters) Time: 10:30 am local time (Australian Eastern Standard Time) Mr Peter Foley, Acting Executive Director, ATSB will present and discuss the findings of the final…

A media conference to release the Preliminary Factual Report on the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the depressurisation 475 km north-west of Manila, Philippines on 25 July 2008, will be held: Friday 29 August 2008 Where: 15 Mort Street, CANBERRA Time: 10:30 am (local time) Mr Julian Walsh, acting Executive Director will discuss factual information known to the investigation team at this time and will outline the investigation process.

The ATSB has found that a misunderstanding between the master and pilot, and the lack of planning by the ship's crew were contributing factors in the grounding of the Liberian flagged general cargo ship Mellum on 28 September 2004. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation found the master/pilot information exchange was deficient, and that the insets and scales of the navigation chart in use may have contributed to the grounding. At 1124 Australian Central Standard Time on 28 September, the general cargo ship Mellum let go from the wharf at Thevenard and headed to sea with a pilot…

An ATSB investigation has found that the driver of a motor vehicle who was fatally injured on 11 August 2005 at the Edith Street level crossing in Horsham, Victoria, did not give way to the train as prescribed in 'Road Rules�- Victoria'. The motorist drove into the path of the train even though the level crossing flashing lights and bell were operating correctly. The ATSB's report concludes that it is likely that the driver of the car was distracted by internal and/or external factors. Internal factors may have included an expectation that a train would…