Aviation
The incorrect entry of take-off weight data that resulted in the tail strike and runway overrun of an Emirates Airbus A340 aircraft was not a unique event. Similar events continue to occur throughout the world, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).
On Friday 16 December 2011, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will hold a media briefing to accompany the release of its final investigation report into the 20 March 2009 tail strike of an Airbus A340-541 at Melbourne Airport.
The lessons from tragic accidents following flight into cloud or
poor visibility are often ignored or forgotten, according to the
ATSB. Some pilots who are only qualified to fly when visibility is
good (visual flight) remain exposed to significant risk of a fatal
Pilots of single-engine aircraft are at greater risk of having an accident following a partial engine power loss than they are of a full engine failure, according to the ATSB.
A partial engine power-loss occurs when the engine provides less power than that commanded by the pilot.
Robinson R22 helicopter pilots are being cautioned of a drive
belt risk following a fatal accident in north-west Queensland.
The ATSB's successful retrieval of flight data from a badly
damaged aircraft has been described as a 'breakthrough' by Royal
New Zealand Air Force authorities.
An ATSB investigation into a fatal helicopter accident has highlighted the continuing risks facing pilots when flying around powerlines.
Agricultural pilots are being reminded of the dangers associated with flying near wires following the release of an ATSB booklet today.
An interim ATSB investigation report has confirmed the sequence
of events that led to the 4 November 2010 uncontained engine
failure on board a Qantas A380 aircraft over Batam Island,
Indonesia.
