Accidents – A reminder of lessons from the past

Analysing the causes of aviation accidents and thinking about what we can do to manage hazards in the aviation system has always been at the heart of how we make safety improvements in the sector.

This page presents accidents and lessons learnt that are relevant to our current themes of interest.

Australian Transport Safety Board (ATSB): Mid-air collision involving Piper PA-44-180 Seminole and Beech D95A. Visibility Study

Limitations of visual acquisition and the significant additional alerting time provided by ADS-B IN displays. Includes a video.

ATSB website: Visibility study highlights how ADS-B IN can assist pilots to better identify potential traffic conflicts(external link)

Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB): Collision with terrain, UH-1H helicopter

The value of risk assessments for helicopter operations and pilot upper torso restraints.

ATSB website: Investigation AO-2018-031(external link)

Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB): In-Flight upset, inadvertent pitch disconnect, and continued operation with serious damage involving ATR-72 aircraft

Threat and error management: flight crew should adhere to sterile cockpit procedures and communicate threats and errors clearly to optimise their performance in the higher risk phases of flight.

ATSB website: Investigation AO-2014-032(external link)

Bureau d’Enquetes et d’Analyses (BEA): Accident to Airbus AS350-B3e Interference of the sling with the tail boom and the tail rotor, emergency landing

Helicopter sling load operational risks management: Excessive speed, un-ballasted sling, insufficient checking of the load.

BEA website: Interference of the sling with the tail boom and the tail rotor, emergency landing(external link)

Air Safety Institute video channel – Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) - Accident Case Study: Faulty Assumptions

Flight planning and fuel management.

AOPA website: Accident Case Study: Faulty Assumptions(external link)

Air Safety Institute video channel – Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) - Traffic Pattern Tragedy

Radio communications and decision making in a complex environment.

AOPA website: Accident Case Study: Traffic Pattern Tragedy(external link)