An ATSB investigation into a fatal helicopter accident has highlighted the continuing risks facing pilots when flying around powerlines. On 20 May 2010, a helicopter struck a powerline during forestry spraying operations near the Latrobe Valley Airport in Victoria. The helicopter crashed and the pilot, the only person on board, died. The ATSB's investigation report, released today, describes how the pilot struck the wire on the final spray run despite being aware of the wire's location. ATSB Chief Commissioner, Mr Martin Dolan, said this accident is part of a worrying trend in aviation…

ATSB investigations resulted in major improvements to transport safety, according to a new research report. The report examines safety issues-and resulting actions-identified by the ATSB across the aviation, marine and rail sectors during 2009-10. From the ATSB's investigations, 124 safety issues (factors that could adversely affect the safety of future operations) were identified. The transport industry undertook 141 separate safety actions to deal with these issues. Overall, inadequate procedures or the lack of procedures posed the greatest safety risk across all three modes of transport.…

The rate of fatal accidents in general aviation is 3½ times higher than for air transport activity according to an ATSB report. Released today, the statistical report examines aviation accidents and incidents between 2001 and 2010 across all aviation types in Australia. During the past ten years, there were 236 people killed in 147 fatal accidents in general aviation. General aviation includes all VH-registered flying activities except scheduled and charter passenger and freight operations. Within general aviation, private flying accounted for the highest number of fatalities at 135 people…

Agricultural pilots are being reminded of the dangers associated with flying near wires following the release of an ATSB booklet today. The booklet, released in association with the Aerial Agriculture Association of Australia, highlights recent wirestrike accidents that occurred while pilots were conducting spraying activities. Importantly, the report provides ways for pilots to minimise the risk of striking a powerline while conducting aerial operations. ATSB Manager of Research Investigations, Dr Stuart Godley, said that in the majority of wirestrike accidents the pilots had known of the…

A new ATSB investigation bulletin released today highlights five instances of aircraft coming too close to each other. Two of these occurrences were 'breakdowns of separation,' taking place in airspace under Air Traffic Control, which has carefully defined standards to keep planes a set distance apart. Several safety actions have come out of these occurrences, including the establishment of an awareness program for Air Traffic Controllers, and a systemic review by Airservices Australia. Mr Joe Hattley, the ATSB's Assistant General Manager of Aviation Safety Investigations says the…

Ship operators need to ensure that they have an appropriate process in place to properly manage the level of crew fatigue according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). The advice is a result of the ATSB's investigation into the 3 April 2010 grounding of Chinese bulk carrier Shen Neng 1 on Douglas Shoal, off the coast of Queensland near Gladstone. In its final investigation report, released today, the ATSB found that the chief mate was affected by fatigue and this resulted in a decreased level of performance while he was monitoring Shen Neng 1's position. The report found that…

Aircraft take-off performance errors resulting from simple human data calculation or entry occur too frequently but can be avoided or detected, according to an ATSB research report, released today. The report examines Australian and international occurrences between 1 January 1989 and 30 June 2009 that involved the calculation and entry of erroneous take-off data. It reveals that take-off errors happen for many different reasons such as the wrong figure being used as well as data being entered incorrectly, not being updated, or being excluded. Importantly, the report identifies that while no…

The importance of maintaining situational awareness and the risks of pilot distraction are two of the major safety lessons featured in the latest edition of the ATSB's investigation bulletin, released today. Situational awareness was a factor in air proximity events, breakdowns of separation, ground handling and wirestrikes. An example of a situational awareness issue occurred when a Pilatus PC-12/45 and Aeronautica MacchiAL60 passed within close proximity to each other while flying. This incident highlighted the need for aircrew to conduct diligent radio broadcasts and continual visual…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is urging shipping operators to regularly check and replace their container lashing equipment as a result of an incident involving the Hong Kong registered container ship Pacific Adventurer. On 11 March 2009, Pacific Adventurer lost 31 containers overboard during severe weather and large swells off Cape Moreton, Queensland. As the unsecured containers went overboard, they holed two of the ship's fuel oil bunker tanks. This caused the ship to leak 270 tonnes of bunker oil into the sea which affected 70kms of Queensland's coastline. The ATSB…

Operators of Robinson R44 helicopters are being advised to inspect the security of their helicopters' hydraulic-boost servos following a fatal accident at Cessnock Aerodrome, NSW. On 4 February 2011, a Robinson R44 Astro helicopter crashed after part of the aircraft's flight controls separated from the hydraulic-boost system during circuit operations. The pilot survived, but the flight instructor and a passenger died in the accident. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau's (ATSB's) preliminary factual report, released today, reveals that a bolt securing part of the flight control system had…