On Friday 5 March 2010, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will hold a media conference to accompany the release of its final investigation report into a mishandled go-around procedure, involving an Airbus A320-232 passenger aircraft (registered VH-VQT). The incident occurred during a landing attempt at Melbourne airport on 21 July 2007, following a scheduled flight from Christchurch, New Zealand. The ATSB's Chief Commissioner, Mr Martin Dolan, and Team Leader, Aviation Safety Investigations, Mr Joe Hattley, will discuss the report. Mr Dolan and Mr Hattley will also share the key…

An aircraft operator has changed its operating procedures following a go-around during an attempted landing at Melbourne in July 2007. The aircraft manufacturer has also revised some of its procedures for the aircraft type. A passenger aircraft had attempted to land at Melbourne airport in fog, but abandoned the landing due to low visibility. During the go-around, the aircraft descended to within 38 feet of the ground before climbing. An Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation report, released today, found that the go-around did not work as intended due to a combination of:…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the accident involving an Embraer Basilia aircraft (registration number VH-ANB) at Darwin Airport, Northern Territory, which occurred at 1010 CST on 22 March 2010. The ATSB investigator in charge, Mr Alex Hood will conduct a briefing on known factual aspects of the aviation accident. Where: Outside RAAF Base Darwin, NT (Cnr of Stuart Hwy and Billeroy Road) Date: Tuesday 23 March 2010, 1400 CST (local time) No further media briefings will be conducted by the investigation team. After this briefing, all media enquiries must be…

The ATSB has recovered the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, or 'black boxes' from the Embraer 120 Brasilia aircraft that crashed at Darwin Airport, Northern Territory on Monday 22 March 2010. The recorders have been transported to the ATSB's technical facilities in Canberra for analysis. The ATSB investigation team is currently at the accident site examining and recording the on‑site physical evidence, interviewing witnesses and other involved parties, and examining the available third-party recordings and documentation. The team is expected to complete the on-site phase of the…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) today welcomed the appointment of Ms Carolyn Walsh as the newest member of the ATSB Commission, effective from 8 March 2010. Appointed by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government the Hon Anthony Albanese, Ms Walsh has a wealth of experience in the area of transport safety. Most recently, Ms Walsh was Chief Executive of the Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator in New South Wales. The ATSB's Chief Commissioner, Mr Martin Dolan, said he welcomes the expertise and experience Ms Walsh…

On Thursday 15 April, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will hold a media conference to accompany the release of its preliminary factual report into the grounding of the Shen Neng 1 off the Queensland coast. ATSB Chief Commissioner Mr Martin Dolan will discuss the findings of the preliminary report. Where: 62 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City ACT (ATSB Central Office) Time: 10.30am (AEST) The report will be available via the ATSB website (atsb.gov.au) at 10.30am on Thursday 15 April. Hard copies will also be available at the briefing. After this briefing, all media enquiries…

The ATSB has found that the submarine ethane gas pipeline rupture in Port Phillip on 13 December 2008 was the result of attempting to clear the container ship APL Sydney's anchor, which had snagged the pipeline. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation found the ship's anchor had been let go too close to the pipeline in the gale force winds and insufficient anchor cable was deployed. The anchor dragged towards the pipeline and snagged it because appropriate avoiding action was not taken. At 1428 on 13 December, APL Sydney's anchor was let go in Melbourne's Outer Anchorage, about 1…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the 3 April grounding of the Chinese flagged bulk carrier Shen Neng 1 at Douglas Shoal off the Queensland coast. Shen Neng 1 was bound for China before grounding on the reef around 36 nautical miles east of Great Keppel Island. The ship has sustained damage to a number of its water ballast and fuel tanks. The ATSB sent three marine investigators to Gladstone, Queensland on Sunday to begin the onsite phase of the investigation. The investigators have already interviewed people ashore and collected evidence. They will board the ship…

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…