The ATSB is urging pilots of single-engine aircraft to plan for partial power loss, following the release of a new educational video. Between 2000 and 2010, there were nine fatal accidents resulting in 20 people losing their lives as a result of a response to a partial power loss soon after take-off. Importantly, there were no fatal accidents where the engine initially completely failed. ATSB research manager Dr Stuart Godley says the high number of fatalities and serious injuries resulting from partial power loss should be of concern to pilots and flight instructors. “Historically, the…

The ATSB will today conduct an onsite media briefing on its investigation into the 14 October 2014 aircraft accident of a Van’s RV-6A, at Chelsea, Melbourne, Victoria. The Investigator-in-Charge will discuss factual information known to the ATSB at this time and will outline the investigation process. The ATSB has deployed three investigators, who have already begun work at the accident site. Over the next few days they will examine the wreckage site, interview witnesses and collect maintenance records. The investigators are seeking witness reports as well as video or imagery that might…

Australia’s transport industries are some of the safest in the world but more can be done to improve safety, according to the ATSB’s annual report. Approved for tabling by the Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Warren Truss, the annual report highlights the ATSB’s top transport safety concerns across the aviation, maritime and rail industries. ATSB Chief Commissioner Martin Dolan said the safety concerns bring together the ATSB’s investigation findings and analysis of the safety occurrence data reported by industry. “We are urging industry to give heightened attention to the risk areas identified…

Transport safety investigators from the Asia Pacific region have converged on Canberra this week to learn about how human factors influence accidents. The 32 participants from five nations will attend lectures and participate in exercises conducted by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and featuring leading experts in the science. Course convenor Dr Richard Batt, the ATSB’s Director International, said human factors were a predominant factor in accidents. “Research shows 80 to 90 per cent of accidents have a human factor involved,” Dr Batt said. “This can range from things like operator…

The ATSB is highlighting the safety risks of flying around non-towered aerodromes as part of this week’s national Ausfly conference at Narromine, NSW. Narromine is expected to host hundreds of pilots who will fly in for Ausfly from all over Australia between 12 and 15 September. This is set to make Narromine Airport one of the busiest non-towered aerodromes in the country during that period. ATSB Chief Commissioner, Martin Dolan, said that safety around non-towered aerodromes is one of the ATSB’s top transport safety priorities. “The ATSB often receives reports from pilots that another…

The ATSB will conduct an onsite media briefing on its investigation into the 18 September 2013 aircraft accident at Geraldton Airport, Western Australia. The Investigator-in-Charge, Mr Andrew Roberton will discuss factual information known to the ATSB at this time and will outline the investigation process. The ATSB has deployed two investigators, who have already begun work at the accident site. Over the next few days they will examine the wreckage site, interview witnesses and collect maintenance records. The investigators are seeking witness reports including any video footage that might…

The ATSB will conduct an on-site media briefing on its investigation into the 23 September 2013 aircraft accident near Hamilton Airport, Victoria. The Investigator-in-Charge will discuss factual information known to the ATSB at this time and will outline the investigation process. The ATSB has deployed three investigators, who have already begun work at the accident site. Over the next few days they will examine the wreckage site, interview witnesses and collect maintenance records. The investigators are seeking witness reports that might assist the investigation. Witnesses can call the ATSB…

The ATSB will conduct an on-site media briefing on its investigation into the 9 December 2013 aircraft accident near the Lakelands Senior High School, South Lake, WA. The Investigator-in-Charge, Mr Alex Hood will discuss factual information known to the ATSB at this time and will outline the investigation process. The ATSB has deployed four investigators, who will begin work at the accident site on Tuesday afternoon 10 December 2013. Over the next two days they will examine the wreckage site, interview witnesses and collect maintenance records. The investigators are seeking witness reports…

The ATSB today released a report warning pilots on the dangers of flying visually at night following a number of fatal accidents that occurred in dark-night conditions. The report comes shortly after the release of the ATSB’s investigation into the fatal helicopter crash at Lake Eyre where the pilot likely became spatially disoriented during a visual flight at night. ATSB Chief Commissioner, Mr Martin Dolan, said accidents involving visual flight at night are becoming an increasing safety concern in Australian aviation. “Over the past 20 years, the ATSB has investigated 36 accidents as a…

A research report released today by the ATSB reveals that the vast majority of loss of aircraft separation occurrences in Australia present little or no risk of collision, but more can be done to improve safety. (A loss of separation occurs when two aircraft under air traffic control come closer than a minimum separation distance.) The report shows that Australia has one of the lowest loss-of-separation occurrence rates, attributable to civilian air traffic control, in the world. A loss of separation (LOS) between aircraft under air traffic control happens on average once every 3 days. In…