The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is releasing its Preliminary Factual report into the ditching that occurred 6 km to the west of Norfolk Island on the evening of 18 November 2009 and involved Israel Aircraft Industries Westwind 1124A aircraft, registered VH-NGA. The six occupants evacuated the aircraft as it sank, and were later recovered by a rescue vessel from Norfolk Island. While the ATSB has yet to establish all the factors relevant to this occurrence, it nevertheless highlights the risks in operating long distance flights to remote island locations which are subject to…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is releasing its Interim Factual report into the tailstrike involving Airbus A340-500 aircraft, registered A6-ERG, during takeoff at Melbourne Airport, Vic. on the evening of 20 March 2009. The aircraft was being operated on a scheduled passenger flight from Melbourne to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. This report builds on the facts advised in the report that was released on 30 April 2009 (ISBN 978-1-921602-43-6, available at www.atsb.gov.au). The investigation has determined that the pre-flight take-off performance calculations were based on…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) held a media briefing near Dorrigo, NSW on the ATSB's investigation into the Bell 206 helicopter accident on 9 December 2009. Senior Investigator Chuck Davies told the media that the investigation would seek to identify what factors may have contributed to the accident. The ATSB is also investigating two other incidents involving helicopter operations in support of firefighting efforts, that occurred near Bathurst and Tamworth this week. The ATSB has dispatched a team of five investigators to Dorrigo. The team arrived on site early on 10 December…

Media Briefing at 2pm, 10 December 2009 at the Skywalk, Dorrigo National Park, Dorrigo NSW Helicopter Accident involving a Bell 206 Helicopter (VH-MJO), near Dorrigo NSW on 9 December 2009. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the accident involving a Bell 206 Helicopter (VH-MJO), which occurred near Dorrigo NSW, on 9 December 2009. ATSB Senior Investigator, Mr Chuck Davies, will discuss factual information known to the ATSB at this time and will outline the investigation process at a media conference today, Thursday, 10 December 2009. Where: The Skywalk facility,…

On Thursday 19 November 2009, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will be holding a media conference into the fatal accident involving VH-ZRR, a Cessna A188B, near Kojonup, WA on 17 Nov 2009. The Investigator in Charge, Mr John Robins, will provide factual information in relation to the accident. Mr Robins will not be providing any analysis or possible contributing factors. Where: Kojonup Apex Park, Corner Broomehill Road and Albany Highway, Kojonup, WA Time: 11.00am (local time) No further media briefings will be conducted by the investigation team. After this briefing, all media…

A bulletin released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) today reveals that unauthorised and unnecessary low-level flying has contributed to the deaths of at least 12 people during the past 10 years. The bulletin, the first in the series of the ATSB's avoidable accidents publications, presents case studies on the dangers of flying low. It also focuses on the key safety lessons learnt from each of these cases. The ATSB's Director of Safety Data, Research and Technical, Mr Julian Walsh, said the bulletin aims to educate the flying community and general public about the inherent…

On Friday, 18 December 2009, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will be holding a media conference to accompany the release of its interim factual report into the tail strike involving Airbus A340-500 aircraft, registered A6-ERG, during take-off at Melbourne Airport, Vic. on the evening of 20 March 2009. Mr Martin Dolan, Chief Commissioner of the Bureau, and Mr Ian Sangston, Director of Aviation Safety Investigations will discuss the report. Mr Dolan and Mr Sangston will also review the investigation activities conducted up to this point, and highlight the safety action already…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released a second Interim Factual Report into the accident involving the Qantas Airbus A330-303 in-flight upset, 154 km west of Learmonth WA, on 7 October 2008. The report summarises new activities conducted since the first Interim Factual Report that was released on 6 March 2009, and it should be read in conjunction with that previous report. The aircraft (registered VH-QPA) was being operated on a scheduled passenger service (QF72) from Singapore to Perth. At 1240, while cruising at 37,000 ft, the aircraft experienced two uncommanded pitch-down…

The investigation of an in-flight breakup that occurred near Clombinane, Victoria on 31 July 2007 has found that it most likely resulted from an encounter with localised and intense turbulence, from an elevator control input, or from a combination of both. The accident resulted in the death of the pilot and passenger on board the Rockwell International Aero Commander 500-S aircraft on a business flight from Essendon Airport to Shepparton. As a result of its investigation, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau reissued the publication Mountain Wave Turbulence (available for download at www.…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its preliminary investigation report into the collision between the bulk carrier Silver Yang and the yacht, Ella's Pink Lady. The report contains factual information gathered to date, as part of the investigation process. ATSB investigators last met with the skipper of Ella's Pink Lady on 9 October 2009, prior to her departure on her round-the-world voyage. The ATSB investigation is ongoing and will focus on several specific areas including: the electronic detectability of the yacht the lookout being kept on board both vessels…