A preliminary report by the ATSB into the four-fatality accident near Condobolin on 2 December indicates that there was no distress signal from the aircraft before it broke up in the vicinity of thunderstorms. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau's Preliminary Aviation Safety Investigation Report into the Piper Chieftain aircraft accident near Condobolin, NSW also found that structural failure spread wreckage along a 4 km path. An active frontal weather system, accompanied by a line of frequent thunderstorms, was passing through the Condobolin area at the time of the accident. There was no…

The ATSB's Final Aviation Safety Investigation Report, into a fatal helicopter wire strike accident at Dunedoo, NSW, has found that the pilot and passengers were generally aware of the location of the wire but the helicopter still struck it during its locust control operation. Workload and possible loss of concentration may have contributed. The pilot was conducting aerial spotting operations in a Bell Helicopter Model 206B on 22 November 2004 in support of locust control operations being administered by the NSW Department of Primary Industries. On board were two employees of the Rural Lands…

The ATSB has released recommendations to CASA relating to fitment of aircraft autopilot equipment and crew instrument approach qualifications as part of the investigation into the Lockhart River fatal accident on 7 May 2005. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau found that the Metroliner aircraft that crashed near Lockhart River on 7 May 2005 was not fitted with an autopilot and the copilot was not qualified to conduct the instrument approach the crew were conducting. Addressing both is seen by the ATSB as desirable to improve future safety. The aircraft was being operated on a scheduled…

A media conference discussing the progress of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Lancair fatal accident on 5 April 2006 will be held today, Thursday 6 April 2006 Where: Carpark Hangar 109, Drover Road, Bankstown Aerodrome, NSW Time: 11:30 local time (Eastern Standard Time) Mr Andrew Roberton, the investigator in charge (IIC), will discuss factual information known to the investigation team at this time and will outline the investigation process. Any person/witness with information about the accident is encouraged to contact the ATSB on 1800 020 616. No further media…

As an operationally independent body within the Australian Government Department of Transport and Regional Services, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau's primary media objectives are to communicate about transport safety in Australia�- in particular the progress and results from transport accident investigations. To facilitate this communication process and assist you to get a timely response, the ATSB has put in place a toll free telephone number: 1800 020 616, which is accessible 24 hours, 7 days a week. This number should be used for all your enquiries relating to transport accident…

A media conference for the release of the interim report and the two discussion papers will be held on Thursday 31 August 2006. Where: 15 Mort Street, Canberra City (ATSB Headquarters) Time: 10:30 local time Mr Alan Stray, Deputy Director, Information and Investigations will discuss factual information contained in the report and the two discussion papers.

The ATSB's final investigation report into the Piper Aztec accident which killed a family of five near Mareeba, Queensland on 1 October 2003, has found that the pilot was probably incapacitated as a result of a cardiac event. The pilot, his wife and three children were conducting a private flight from Mareeba, to Roma, Queensland, in the Piper Aztec aircraft, registered VH-WAC. Witnesses reported that shortly after the aircraft took off from runway 28, it started to bank to the left. The left bank gradually steepened, after which the aircraft rapidly descended to the ground. Witnesses close…

An execution error by the helmsman of a ship led to a ship running aground in Sydney Harbour. The Maltese registered general cargo ship Tauranga Chief ran aground on a mud/sand patch just south of Bradleys Head light in the middle of Sydney Harbour at 0339 in the morning of 17 January 2003. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation report released today states that the ship arrived at Sydney Heads at 0300 on 17 January 2003 and a harbour pilot boarded. The pilot took charge of the conduct of the ship and it continued into the harbour toward its White Bay berth. During a…

A media conference discussing the progress of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal Metroliner aircraft accident near Lockhart River on Cape York Peninsula, Queensland on 7 May 2005 was held today, Thursday 12 May 2005. Where: 15 Mort Street, Canberra City - (ATSB Headquarters) Time: 14:30 local time (ACT) Mr Alan Stray, the Deputy Director, Aviation Safety Investigation, discussed only verified factual material known to the investigation team at the time. Any person/witness with information about the accident is encouraged to contact the ATSB on 1800 020 616 and will…

A media conference discussing the progress of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Piper Navajo fatal accident on 31 October 2006 will be held today, Wednesday 1 November 2006 Where: Raglan Creek bridge (off the Gladstone/Rockhampton highway, near the police command centre) Time: 14:00 local time (Eastern Standard Time) Mr Mike Cavenagh, the investigator in charge (IIC), will discuss factual information known to the investigation team at this time and will outline the investigation process. Any person/witness with information about the accident is encouraged to contact the…