Engine malfunction and in-flight shutdown Boeing 777

This incident provides an excellent example of effective crew resource management techniques when faced with an abnormal situation. On 7 September 2016, an Emirates Boeing 777-31HER aircraft, was operating a scheduled passenger flight from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Brisbane, Queensland. On board were 22 crew members and 308 passengers. At about 1916 CST, the left engine oil quantity started to decrease from 16.4 quarts, stabilising at 2 quarts at 1927, when the aircraft was about 650 km north-west of Adelaide, South Australia, and at flight level (FL) 353. The flight crew contacted company engineering and operations staff and advised them of the situation. The flight crew received a left engine low oil engine-indicating and crew-alerting system (EICAS) message and conducted the associated non-normal checklist. At about 1951, the flight crew shut the left engine down. Read the full report and what happened: http://www.atsb.gov.au/newsroom/news-items/2017/engine-malfunction-and-in-flight-shutdown-boeing-777

Darren Chester MP

Timeline Photos

We've just released the latest Aviation Short Investigations Bulletin. The bulletin features 10 ATSB short investigations, highlighting valuable safety lessons for pilots, operators and safety managers. Released periodically, the bulletin provides a summary of the less-complex factual investigation reports conducted by the ATSB. The results, based on information supplied by organisations or individuals involved in the occurrence, detail the facts behind the event, as well as any safety actions undertaken. Check it out now. http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/2016/ab-2016-176/

Aviation accident or incident notification

Help keep aviation safe. Report all accidents and incidents to the ATSB on 1800 011 034 or go online at: https://www.atsb.gov.au/mandatory/asair-form/

Investigation update: Collision with terrain, Cessna C172M, VH-WTQ, near Agnes Water, Qld on 10 Jan

ATSB investigators have completed the on-site phase of the investigation into the collision with terrain involving Cessna C172M, registered VH-WTQ, near Agnes Water, Queensland on 10 January 2017. As part of the ongoing investigation, the ATSB will continue to gather further evidence, including: - pilot and aircraft maintenance documentation - additional witness statements - recovery and examination of relevant data. Further updates will be provided as significant information comes to hand.

Investigation update: Engine shut down involving Airbus A330 445 km SE Alice Springs SA, 16 Aug 2016

On the evening of 16 August 2016, at 2137 EST an AirAsia X Airbus A330‑343X, registered 9M-XXD, departed Sydney, NSW on flight XAX221 to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. At about 2343, as the aircraft was in cruise at flight level 380 and 445 km south-east of and tracking towards Alice Springs, the aircraft’s engine fault monitoring systems detected low oil pressure in the right engine. This fault was transmitted to the Flight Warning Computer. Investigation update: http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2016/aair/ao-2016-101/

Passengers in safe hands

Commercial aviation safest in 10 years

Commercial air travel in 2015 was safer than in any of the previous 10 years, according to Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) research, released today. The ATSB’s report Aviation occurrence statistics: 2006 to 2015 found that commercial air transport in 2015 had one fatality from nine accidents. General aviation had 12 fatalities from 130 accidents and recreational aviation had 18 fatalities from 76 accidents. ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood said 28 aircraft were involved in fatal accidents in 2015 and a further 28 in an accident resulting in serious injuries. Read what the ATSB found: http://www.atsb.gov.au/newsroom/news-items/2017/commercial-aviation-safest-in-10-years/

Investigation: Collision with terrain involving Cessna C172M, VH-WTQ, near Agnes Water, Queensland, on 10 January 2017

The ATSB is investigating a fatal accident involving a Cessna 172M near Agnes Water, Queensland on 10 January 2017. It is reported the aircraft collided with terrain and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage. One person was fatally injured and three others sustained serious injuries. More: http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2017/aair/ao-2017-005/

Propeller Heads prepare for Big Bike Ride

The ATSB’s Propeller Heads bike team has ignited its preparation for this year’s Big Canberra Bike Ride on 5 March. Max Marton, his wife Karen and the indefatigable Joe Hattley completed a 28 km anti-clockwise big lap of Lake Burley Griffin on the weekend, including the Jerrabomberra Wetlands to the east and Scrivener Dam to the west. The Big Canberra Bike Ride is a celebration of safe cycling, which supports official charity the Amy Gillett Foundation. Rides are 8.5k, 35k, 68k or 120k. According to Joe, Max struggled with the pace at times and was forced into a number of cross-country shortcuts just to keep up. “Max was obviously a bit tired and with his shortcuts probably did a few kilometres less than Karen and I who mostly remained on the bike path,” Joe said. “After a short coffee stop Max became more adventurous and guided us onto a dirt track (more scenic, he said!) which led to a bird (duck and swan variety) lookout. Backtracking, we were then halted by a large tree that had fallen over the track. After a bit of Russell Coight-style All Aussie Adventures, the tree was shifted enough to allow us to pass and hit the road again.” More training is expected to bring Max up to speed. Register for the Big Canberra Bike Ride 2017.

Derailment of freight train 532 near Nala, Tasmania on 6 August 2015

On 6 August 2015, TasRail northbound intermodal freight train 532, travelling from Boyer (near Hobart, Tasmania) to Burnie derailed on a section of track near Nala. The train consisted of two locomotives hauling 34 wagons. The train had an overall length of 557.8 m and a trailing mass 1,345.3 t. The driver was uninjured, but there was significant damage to rolling stock and about 200 m of track was destroyed. The ATSB investigation determined that the leading wheelset on the front bogie of container wagon TQMF03G, derailed at the 95.185 km point south (kps). After the wagon derailed, the train travelled a further 2.3 km before it came to a stand. Read what the ATSB found: http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2015/rair/ro-2015-014/

Black box flight recorders

Aircraft flight recorders are an invaluable tool for investigators in identifying the factors behind an aircraft accident. Recorders usually comprise two individual boxes: the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and the Flight Data Recorder (FDR). Popularly known as ‘black boxes’, these flight recorders are in fact painted orange to help in their recovery following an accident. Read more: http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/2014/black-box-flight-recorders/