On 1 March 2003, the Government of Timor Leste released its Preliminary Report into the fatal aircraft accident near Baucau on 31 January 2003. At the request of the Government of Timor Leste, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has today posted this preliminary report on its web site. The Ilyushin IL-76TD aircraft impacted the ground near Cakung Airport, Baucau, during a landing approach. All six crew on board were fatally injured in the crash. ATSB Deputy Director, Air Safety, Alan Stray said the investigation was continuing. At the request of the Government of Timor Leste, the…

A media conference discussing the circumstances of the Bell 206B Jetranger Helicopter that crashed while undertaking water bombing operations during the Canberra Bush Fires of January 2003 will be held at 11.00 am today. Who: Mr Alan Stray (Deputy Director, Air Safety Investigation)When: 16 December 2003 (1100 ESuT)Where: ATSB Headquarters (15 Mort Street, Canberra City) The report will then be available on the website www.atsb.gov.au. Note: Media are requested to assemble in the foyer at 15 Mort Street 15 minutes prior to the conference, from where they will be escorted to the conference…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will be conducting a media interview on the fatal aircraft accident at Bankstown Airport involving a Piper Seneca, VH-CTT. Who: Ian Brokenshire (Investigator in Charge)When: 12 November 2003, 1600 ESuTWhere: Near the Aviation Museum on Perimeter Rd, Bankstown Airport. Nearest major intersection is Milperra Rd / Henry Lawson Drive, turn off Henry Lawson Drive into Tower Rd. (Tower Rd leads to Perimeter Rd.)

Speech delivered to Safeskies 07 Conference in Canberra, ACT on The ATSB perspective on Safety Management Systems in Australia by Mr Kym Bills, Executive Director, Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

The ATSB has found that there was no effective lookout being maintained on board either a fishing vessel or a bulk carrier when the two vessels collided off the South Australian coast on 23 April 2007, the latest in more than 50 such collisions investigated. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation again found that the fishing vessel was possibly difficult to detect, either visually or by radar, because of its timber construction, lack of a radar reflector, paint scheme and the prevailing weather conditions. On the morning of 23 April, the Australian fishing vessel Peter Crombie…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau's supplementary investigation report into the fatal accident involving Whyalla Airlines Piper Chieftain registration VH-MZK on 31 May 2000 is expected to be tabled in the Senate before Question Time today. The report includes a detailed response to the South Australian State Coroner's critical findings on 24 July 2003. After the tabling, ATSB Executive Director Kym Bills will address the media at 1.00pm today on key aspects of the Bureaus report. Mr Bills will then be available for questions. Who: ATSB Executive Director, Mr Kym Bills.…

The ATSB has found that a TransAdelaide passenger train passed a red stop signal last year, which placed it on a collision course with an interstate passenger train because of a combination of human error and sub-optimal procedures. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has today released its final report into the investigation of the factors that contributed to TransAdelaide passenger train H307 passing signal 161, at the end of a platform at Adelaide Railway Station, while it was displaying a red stop aspect, (an event commonly referred to as 'Signal Passed at Danger' or SPAD), on 28 March…

The ATSB has found that a leakage of dangerous goods on board the Liberian registered container ship Kota Pahlawan, off the coast of Australia, on 16 June 2006, occurred because the dangerous goods were not packaged properly. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation found that packaging deficiencies in similar past shipments of xanthates, the dangerous goods being shipped, were commonplace but not reported. It was also found that Kota Pahlawan transited the northern part of the Great Barrier Reef Inner Route before authorities made an appropriate risk assessment. On the morning of…

ATSB analysis shows that an increase in reported airline accident and incident data since 2001 is mainly due to industry expansion, and the rates of many types of occurrence have fallen. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau research report released today covered more serious airline Immediately Reportable Matters in the 5 years from mid 2001 to mid 2006. Despite the increased activity in scheduled public transport operations, the number of Immediately Reportable Matters has generally either remained stable or declined. When measured in relation to airline activity, the trend rate is…

An ATSB research report released today examines the problem of spatial disorientation. Flying an aircraft is a challenging activity that exposes pilots to many potential hazards. One of the most significant of these is spatial disorientation. Spatial disorientation is a condition where the pilot is unable to correctly interpret aircraft attitude, altitude or airspeed in relation to the Earth. The resulting disorientation can lead to a loss of control of the aircraft. Spatial disorientation is a very common problem. It is vitally important that pilots are aware that it can affect any pilot,…