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 alone there were 1,340 birdstrikes reported to the ATSB. The increase in the number of birdstrikes, however, is consistent with the increase in the number…

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 on the air traffic control radar and voice recordings. A final report is…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has paid tribute to black-box flight recorder inventor, Dr David Warren AO following his recent passing. Aviation investigators around the world use black-box flight recorders as a principal means of establishing the sequence of events immediately after an aviation accident. ATSB Chief Commissioner, Mr Martin Dolan, said through the invention of flight recorders Dr Warren greatly improved transport safety in Australia and throughout the world. "In seeking answers about why accidents happen, the information derived from these recorders is often…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has today accepted a formal request from the Papua New Guinea Accident Investigation Commission to assist with their investigation into yesterday's plane crash at Misima Island in PNG. A team of three ATSB investigators will fly out this evening to arrive at Misima island by late tomorrow to work closely with the PNG authorities. Given this is a PNG investigation, the primary contact for this investigation will be the PNG Accident Investigation Commission. The ATSB will respond to any queries about its involvement in the investigation.

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…