ATSB Reports news

News Source: Australian Transport Safety Bureau

14/05/12 Avoidable Accidents
These booklets would be useful to any pilot, from a first-time student in a flying school to an experienced pilot who?s flying professionally. We?re eager to share them. We think they?re a valuable resource, that is free. The ATSB will gladly provide free copies of the Avoidable Accidents series to anyone who would like them.

11/05/12 Using mobile devices during flight - REPCON report
The use of mobile phones and other electronic devices is restricted as they could interfere with vital aircraft navigation systems. Current regulations give aircraft crew the power to prohibit the use of any device which can threaten the safety of an aircraft. It is very important that passengers listen to and comply with announcements from the cabin crew when these restrictions apply.

09/05/12 Australian Rail Safety Occurrence Data 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2011
The data presented is designed to assist rail safety professionals and researchers in understanding and taking action to reduce the safety risk. In addition, it can be used for international comparative research, while informing the public about emerging issues in rail safety.

07/05/12 Australian aviation has high safety standards
Recent media reports concerning aviation safety in Australia do not reflect the high standard of aviation safety enjoyed in Australia ? air travel remains one of the safest forms of travel.

04/05/12 Smoke event - SAAB 340B, VH-PRX, Sydney Airport, NSW, 25 November 2011
During the taxi to the gate after arrival at Sydney, a cabin crew member noticed smoke coming from near a passenger seat and instructed the passenger to throw the source of the smoke into the aisle. The cabin crew member then discharged a fire extinguisher onto what was later identified as a mobile telephone. After several minutes, the smoke cleared.

02/05/12 Breakdown of separation - Boeing B737-7Q8, VH-VBF and a Boeing B767-338, VH-OGU, near Melbourne Airport, Victoria, 5 December 2010
The ATSB identified a safety issue in that the procedures for takeoffs at Melbourne Airport allowed for aircraft to depart relatively close to each other, with no documented requirements to ensure jet aircraft would maintain a set climb speed.

30/04/12 Collision with terrain - Cessna C150M, VH-UWR, 55 km NE Bourke, 29 April 2012
During mustering operations, the aircraft collided with terrain. The pilot was fatally injured. The investigation is continuing.

30/04/12 Loss of control - Robinson R44 helicopter, VH-HFH, Cessnock Aerodrome, NSW, 4 February 2011
As the helicopter became airborne, it became uncontrollable and collided with the runway and caught fire. The pilot exited the helicopter; however, the instructor and passenger were fatally injured.

30/04/12 Fumes event - Boeing 737, VH-VBL, near Melbourne Airport, 17 April 2012
During the climb, the cabin crew detected fumes in the cabin and a number of cabin crew members reported feeling unwell. The investigation is continuing.

26/04/12 Controlled flight into terrain - Piper Saratoga PA 32R 301T, VH-LKI, Moree Airport, NSW, 30 March 2011
The pilot and five passengers on board was returning to Moree Airport from Brewarrina Airport, NSW under the night Visual Flight Rules. The aircraft contacted trees and collided with level terrain about 550 m short of the runway. The investigation found the pilot did not satisfy the recency requirements of his NVFR rating and the aircraft?s take-off weight was in excess of the maximum allowable for the aircraft.

20/04/12 Collision between XPT passenger train WT27 and a track-mounted excavator near Newbridge, NSW on 5 May 2010
A collision occurred between an XPT passenger train and a track-mounted excavator near Newbridge, NSW. The operator of the track-mounted excavator was fatally injured.

19/04/12 Incorrect aircraft configuration - Airbus A321-231, VH-VWW, Singapore Changi International Airport, 27 May 2010
Airbus A321-231,VH-VWW and operating as Jetstar flight JQ57, was undertaking a landing at Singapore Changi International Airport. The aircraft was not in the correct landing configuration by 500 ft height above the aerodrome and, as required by the operator?s procedures in the case of an unstable approach, the crew carried out a missed approach.

16/04/12 Uncontained engine failure and air turn-back near San Francisco Airport, USA, 30 August 2010
A Qantas Boeing 747-438 aircraft, registered VH-OJP, departed San Francisco International Airport on a scheduled passenger service to Sydney, Australia. As the aircraft passed through 25,000 ft, the aircraft's number-4 engine failed, resulting in the puncturing of the engine casing and nacelle and the release of debris. The engine was shut down and the flight crew returned the aircraft to San Francisco International Airport.

12/04/12 Collision with terrain - Robinson R22 helicopter, VH-YOL, 14 km north-west of Fitzroy Crossing, WA, 27 July 2011
The owner-pilot of a Robinson R22 helicopter, VH-YOL, was conducting a local flight from Big Rock Dam to Brooking Springs homestead near Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia. The pilot was reported missing and the wreckage of the helicopter was located the following day, 14 km north-west of Fitzroy Crossing township.

11/04/12 Collision with terrain - Ayres Corporation S2R-G10 Thrush aircraft, VH-WDD, 31 km WNW Moree, NSW, 11 April 2012
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) was advised of an aircraft accident involving a Ayres Corporation Thrush aircraft, registered VH-WDD. The ATSB is dispatching a team of four investigators from Canberra and Brisbane.

11/04/12 Derailment of ARTC ballast train 8M24N between Broken Hill and Kinalung, NSW on 11 April 2012
The ATSB is investigating a train derailment on the interstate mainline between Broken Hill and Kinalung, NSW.

05/04/12 Serious crew member injury on board the Panamanian registered bulk carrier Universal Gloria, at sea off Eden, NSW on 11 October 2011
The third mate on board the woodchip carrier Universal Gloria suffered burns to his hands and face when the air compressor he was using to fill an oxygen breathing apparatus cylinder exploded. The ATSB investigation found that the explosion occurred as a result of a fire that started within the compressor when oil ignited in the hot oxygen-rich environment.

04/04/12 Collision between freight train 7SP3 and a track mounted excavator near Jaurdi, WA, 28 March 2011
A collision occurred near Jaurdi, WA, between freight train 7SP3 and a track mounted excavator that had been carrying out track maintenance work. The excavator driver escaped without injury immediately prior to the collision. The excavator was pushed along the track by the locomotive for about 290 m before coming to a stop. Significant damage was sustained to the excavator and the lead locomotive.

29/03/12 Collision with terrain - Piper PA-31P-350, VH-PGW, 6 km north-west of Bankstown Airport, NSW, 15 June 2010
The ATSB has completed its draft final report into the accident, which is now undergoing internal review and approval prior to being released to directly involved parties for comment. Any comments will be reviewed and considered for inclusion in the final report. The public release of the final report is anticipated in the second quarter of calendar year 2012.

19/03/12 Derailment of 7SP5 between Caragabal and Wirrinya, NSW, 23 October 2011
On 23 October 2011, train 7SP5 was passing through Wirrinya on the main line of the Stockinbingal to Parkes Railway, NSW. Soon after, the driver noted that the train was losing air and brought the train to a stop. An inspection found that the rear portion of the train had derailed. There was significant damage to the last six wagons of the train, approximately 1 km of track, and several shipping containers. Up to 17 km of track suffered minor..

19/03/12 Level crossing collision near Pt Germein SA on 19 March 2012
Ore train 4460S travelling on the interstate mainline between Pt Augusta and Pt Pirie collided with a motor vehicle on the Pt Flinders, Causeway Road level crossing located about 10.6 km south of Pt Germein in South Australia.

14/03/12 Aviation Short Investigation Bulletin: Fourth Quarter, Issue 8
This bulletin presents a collection of short aviation investigation reports recently completed by the ATSB. These reports are based on information provided to the ATSB by individuals or organisations involved in an accident or serious incident.

13/03/12 Steering gear breakdown on board the New Zealand registered tug Tuahine east off Fraser Island, Queensland, on 31 October 2011
During a voyage from Tin Can Bay, Queensland to Brisbane, the vessel's crew activated the tug's 406 MHz EPIRB, thus declaring an emergency, about 80 nm ENE of Cape Moreton after the tug's steering was damaged and couldn't be fixed. The crew of three were airlifted off to safety and a tug from Brisbane was sent to take it in tow.

13/03/12 Engine oil leaks on Airbus A380s, en route Singapore to London, United Kingdom, 24 February and 3 November 2011
Two different Airbus A380 aircraft were being operated by Qantas Airlines on scheduled passenger services. About 8 hours into the flight on 24 February 2011, the flight crew detected a reduction in the indicated oil tank quantity for the No 3 engine. On 3 November 2011, a different aircraft was about 3 hours into the flight when the flight crew received a low oil quantity advisory for the No 4 engine. The manufacturer has informed all relevant..

09/03/12 Collision with terrain - Robinson R44, VH-COK, Jaspers Brush, NSW, 4 February 2012
A R44 helicopter, lifted off from Jaspers Brush, NSW for an aerial filming task at Jervis Bay. The helicopter abruptly pitched nose-up and the tailskid struck the ground. Both occupants were fatally injured and the helicopter was destroyed. Although the circumstances of this accident are still under investigation, the ATSB issued a Safety Advisory Notice suggesting that operators and owners of R44 helicopters fitted with all-aluminium fuel..

07/03/12 Breakdown of separation - 22 km South of Williamtown (Newcastle Airport), NSW, 1 February 2011
Separation between the aircraft reduced to 0.7 NM (1.3 km) on radar and 400 ft vertically. The investigation identified a series of errors by the Williamtown Approach controllers involving separation assurance, coordination and communication, and compromised separation recovery.

05/03/12 Derailment of freight train 7SP3 near Roto NSW on 3 March 2012
At about 0715, Sunday 4 March Pacific National train 7SP3 derailed near Roto, NSW on the main west line from Sydney to Broken Hill due to a track washout.

29/02/12 Derailment of freight train 7AD1 at Edith River near Katherine NT on 27 December 2011
Freight train 7AD1 derailed at the rail bridge over the Edith River near Katherine, NT on 27 December 2011. There was significant damage to the bridge and rolling-stock and a number of wagons. The derailment was the result of a severe weather event, which formed after tropical Cyclone 'Grant' crossed the coast. The flooding was sufficient to cause catastrophic damage to the southern bridge embankment which initiated the derailment of train..

23/02/12 Loss of control - Embraer Brasilia, VH-ANB, Darwin Airport, NT, 22 March 2010
An Embraer (EMB-120) aircraft, crashed moments after takeoff at Darwin Airport, NT, fatally injuring both pilots. The flight was for the purpose of revalidating the command instrument rating of the pilot under check and was under the command of a training and checking captain. The takeoff included a simulated engine failure.

15/02/12 Wheels-up landing - Fairchild Metro, VH-UZA, Brisbane Airport, 15 February 2012
A Fairchild Metro aircraft registered VH-UZA, departed from Brisbane Airport for a test flight following maintenance. While returning to the airport, the crew advised air traffic control that they had a landing gear problem.

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