Australia

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    Fuel Management Problems Continue into 2012


    Fuel exhaustion happens when there is no useable fuel to supply the engine.

    Running out of fuel in a plane is not like running out of gas in a car.

    Fuel starvation happens when the fuel supply to the engine is interrupted although there is still enough fuel on board.

    The Australian Transport Safety Bureau made a statement on January 9th that they believe that fuel management is a serious risk in today’s aviation climate. Too many fuel related occurrences happen yearly–more than 20 reports of fuel exhaustion or starvation incidents and accidents last year, and these lead to diversions and accidents. The tragedy is that these incidents are avoidable, simply with better management.

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    Separation Issue between Virgin and Qantas


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer George Canciani


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Steven Austen

    What: Qantas Boeing 737-800 en route from Brisbane to Sydney
    What: Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800 en route from Sydney to Brisbane
    Where: near Sydney
    When: Jan 8th 2012
    Why: The Qantas Boeing was 170nm north of Sydney diverting from its flight plan, deviating around a storm. Simultaneously, a Virgin Boeing had been cleared to climb above weather.

    Their locations and trajectory triggered an alert.

    The planes arrived safely.

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    Qantas Encounters Engine-jarring Turbulence over Weipa


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Robert Ralph

    What: Qantas/Eastern Australia de Havilland Dash 8-300 en route from Cairns,QL to Weipa,QL
    Where: Weipa
    When: Dec 6th 2011
    Why: On approach to Weipa, the plane flew through a cloud and encountered disruptive turbulence.

    While there were no reports of injury, the turbulence resulted in engine problems. The plane made a safe landing but the incident is under ATSB scrutiny.

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    S. Africa Airbus in Lightning Strike


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Ricardo Rodrigues

    What: SAA South African Airways Airbus A340-300 en route from Johannesburg (South Africa) to Perth,WA
    Where: Perth
    When: Dec 6th 2011
    Why: After a normal flight, on approach to Perth, the plane was struck by lightning. Subsequently, pilots reported problems and began circling the airport. They did a flyby to observe the condition of the tires which were reported as having all “indications lost.” The plane eventually landed safely.

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    First Officer Attacked by Stairway


    What: Virgin Australia/Pacific Blue Boeing 737-800 en route from Brisbane,QL to Denpasar Bali
    Where: Brisbane
    When: Oct 14th 2011
    Who: 1st officer
    Why: The plane was in its parking bay as the first officer was inspecting the plane prior to departure, when the exhaust of a departing Qantas jet blew the mobile stairs, including the first officer, over. Both stairs and pilot ended up on the tarmac, the first officer ending up with a broken arm and leg. The plane was in its parking bay. The pilot departed for the hospital, presumably by ambulance, and the plane departed for Bali, with only a 90 minute delay.

    I don’t think I’ve ever heard of this happening!

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    Qantas Flight Scare


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Nathan Bartlett

    What: Qantaslink Boeing 717-200 en route from Newman,WA to Perth,WA
    Where: Newman Australia
    When: Oct 4th 2011
    Who: 75 passengers and 5 crew
    Why: The plane had taken off normally from Newman, but while still ascending, the engine popped. That is, it made a loud noise which was reported later by local media as a compressor stall. Inside, the cabin, passengers heard the explosion, the lights dimmed and the plane shuddered. Outside, witnesses saw a puff of smoke. Inside, passengers say it went “dead silent” for five minutes, before anyone made announcements. (No one is complaining. They’re all happy they survived.) When the captain did speak, he was calm and reassuring. No doubt he was busy at the time.

    The landing hit hard and was described as being all over the runway. Passengers did joke about needing a drink afterwards, and Newman not having a bar; it was mentioned that the replacement flight should have all given them free drinks before they ran out of food.

    The plane made a safe (emergency) landing in Newman fifteen minutes after takeoff.

    See video below:

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    UltraLight Takes a Spin on the Ferris Wheel

    What: Superlight Cheetah S200 glider
    Where: Canberra New South Wales
    When: October 1
    Who: 2 aboard.
    Why: During the annual three-day festival in Old Bar, a glider crashed into a ferris wheel. (What are the odds of that?) A nine year old and a thirteen year old were trapped, as well as the pilot (Paul Cox) and passenger of the downed plane. The pilot was disoriented in low visibility. The children were stuck for an hour; the pilot and passenger for three hours. No one had serious injuries.

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    Cairns aviation Wins Australian Approval


    A Cairns-based aviation maintenance and repair organisation has become the first in Australia to be granted an approval under new air safety regulations.

    Hawker Pacific Airline Support Services now has approval to operate under new maintenance regulations introduced in June 2011.

    These regulations cover the maintenance of regular public transport aircraft and aeronautical products.

    CASA’s Director of Aviation Safety, John McCormick, has presented Hawker Pacific Airline Support Services with their new Civil Aviation Safety Regulations Part 145 approval certificate.

    The presentation was made in Cairns on Wednesday 24 August 2011.

    “The finalisation of the first approval under the new maintenance regulations is a major milestone for Australian aviation,” Mr McCormick said.

    “Between now and June 2013 a total of 250 maintenance organisations will move across to operate under the new Part 145 regulations.

    “They will all benefit from operating within a regulatory framework that enhances safety, offers increased flexibility and aligns with international practices.

    “The regulations enhance safety because they introduce requirements for safety management systems and human factors training into the maintenance sector for the first time. The new rules are also clearer, which will improve compliance with safety standards.

    “Hawker Pacific Airline Support Services has undertaken a lot of work to win this approval and CASA carefully reviewed their documentation and carried out on site inspections.

    “I congratulate Hawker Pacific Airline Support Services for being the first to be granted an approval under Part 145 of the maintenance regulations and look forward to the smooth transition of all the other relevant maintenance organisations by the middle of 2013.”

    Hawker Pacific Airline Support Services carries out maintenance of Bombardier DHC-8 and Embraer 120 aircraft in Cairns.

    The new maintenance regulations introduced under Part 145 only cover the maintenance of regular public transport aircraft and aeronautical products fitted to those aircraft. CASA will develop new maintenance regulations for other sectors of aviation after further consultation with the industry.

    New regulations covering Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and maintenance training organisations were also introduced in June 2011.


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    ABC News Crew Missing over Australia

    What: Australian Broadcasting Corporation chopper
    Where: Lake Eyre, Australia
    When: August 17, 2011
    Who: 3 staff
    Why: The Australian Broadcasting crew was en route in bad weather and lost contract with flight control around 7:30 pm on August 17 at 142km northeast of William Creek and 146km north-northeast of Marree. Lake Eyre was said to be clear at the time of the crash, with a few local showers. The crew had been on site for aerial photography and video work around Lake Eyre and Cooper Creek.

    They were supposed to be meeting people for dinner, and when they didn’t show up, according to The Telegraph, “the guys walked a few kilometres to the edge of Lake Eyre and found the wreckage.” Eyewitnesses saw the chopper go down in flames.

    The cause is unclear.

    The passengers included journalist Paul Lockyer and cameraman John Bean, who were confirmed missing last night and confirmed dead this morning at 5:30 am.

    Chopper pilot Gary Ticehurst, (Film Helicopters Australia) had over 14,000 chopper hours. Lockyer was a 39 year journalist and Bean had been with ABC over 22 years.

    Emergency services arrived at the crash site early today, August 18.

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    Air Canada Returns to Sydney after Smoke Aboard

    What: Air Canada Boeing 777 en route from Sydney to Toronto
    Where: Sydney
    When: Jul 27 2011
    Who: 262 passengers
    Why: The plane was en route when crew members smelled smoke in the aft galley. The pilots turned around and returned to Sydney where they made a safe landing.

    Initial reports indicated fire but no fire was found. No injures were reported, and there was no need for Emergency services who were on standby as they were landing.

    Crews are examining the plane.

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    Private Chopper Crashes Carrying Australian Concrete Entrepreneur

    What: DAVCRON PTY LTD Bell 206
    Where: South Turramurra, Sydney Australia
    When: July 22, 2011
    Who: 2 fatalities
    Why: While on a routine flight from Rosehill to the owner’s hanger in Wyee, the bell chopper crashed north of Sydney while flying in a heavy downpour. The wreckage was spread in a hundred meter area at the foot of a cliff in Lane Cove National Park. The pilot and passenger were confirmed dead. Emergency services could only reach by rappelling down. Recovery has been postponed till the weekend because of continued bad weather.

    Witnesses say they may have seen something fly off the back of the helicopter and one witness said the helicopter was upside down when it fell. Descriptions of the troubled helicopter included “clattering” and “explosion.”

    Initially the victims of the crash were not known, but their names have been released. The bodies of pilot Colin Greenwood, 35 and 85 year old Businessman Bruce Campbell were found in the wreckage.

    Officials say the pilot had filed a flight plan although it was not required.

    Campbell founded Davcron Engineering Pty Ltd and owned the chopper which regularly on Fridays flew him to his semi-rural home. Campbell has three sons and is a grandfather of five.

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    Virgin Emergency Diversion to Hobart

    What: Virgin Australia Boeing 737-700 en route from Brisbane to Launceston
    Where: Hobart
    When: Jun 16th 2011
    Who: 56 passengers
    Why: On approach to Launceton, the crew noted a flaps asymmetry, and aborted the approach. They burned off fuel, and diverted to Hobart where they made a safe landing. Passengers feared for their lives but apparently were not in as much danger as they feared.

    Subsequently, due to Puyehue ash concerns, they took a bus to Launceston. The flight was carrying the Gold Coast Suns football team.

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    Piper Crashes in Australia


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Ignatius

    What: TRENK Contracting Pty. Ltd. Piper PA-46-310P en route from Doolgunna to Meekatharra
    Where: Meekatharra Airport Australia
    When: June 15, 2011, 9:00 am
    Who: Pilot and passenger
    Why: The pilot and passenger in a piper that was flying from Doolgunna to Meekatharra are both hospitalized today, after crashing short of the Meekatharra runway.

    The plane’s right wing and undercarriage were smashed, and the hood was lost. Meekatharra voluntary brigade reported a fuel spill but nothing that would cause a fire.

    Both pilot and passenger only had minor injuries, and one was already discharged from Meekatharra Hospital. One injured party was flown to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth.

    The crash is under investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau who declined to make a statement.

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    Qantas “No Leak” Emergency Landing


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Allen Zhao

    What: Qantas Boeing 737-800 Aukland to Sydney
    Where: Sydney
    When: Apr 13 2011
    Who: 130 passengers
    Why: While en route, the plane reportedly had a fuel leak and an engine problem while over the Tasman sea. They made a “priority” landing in Sydney, with no injuries, although the fuel leak problem was mistakenly announced.

    The problem was diagnosed as a fuel transfer valve, which was subsequently replaced.

    Prior to landing safely in Sydney, the problem was announced on Twitter.

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    Last Call

    What: Chart Air flight en route from Ngukurr to Katherine
    Where: Katherine, Australia
    When: March 29, 2011
    Why: When the plane’s landing gear did not work properly, the plane circled the airport for 45 minutes. Passengers were “advised to call their loved ones.

    Maybe the pilot was young or inexperienced. I don’t know. I do know that it is not all that rare for planes to have landing gear problems. Usually it is something that is handled fairly easily. Usually they foam the runway to prevent a fire, and the plane lands on its belly, usually after flying by the control tower to get visual confirmation on the status of the landing gear.

    I’m not sure what I think about telling passengers to make that phone call. That pilot might have caused some unnecessary panic. There will probably be some negative consequences for some of these people who experienced flying on the plane and having the pilot practically promise them their goose was cooked and they were going to die.

    Is this Chart Air protocol I wonder? In my opinion, however well-meant it is, it is not particularly a good thing for a pilot to induce panic and terror into one’s passengers.

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    CASA: Pilots urged to keep Hay skies safe; Pilots urged to keep Griffith skies safe

    Hay pilots are being urged to attend an important air safety workshop next week.

    The workshop will give local pilots special training to improve their flying and safety skills.

    The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is holding the workshop to help make the skies over Hay even safer.

    Safety issues to be covered at the workshop include recent changes to procedures at local aerodromes. There will also be the opportunity for pilots to ask questions and raise issues about local flying.

    CASA’s Peter Gibson says the workshop is part of a national regional air safety campaign.

    “Giving pilots from Hay extra training will lift their safety skills to even higher levels,” Mr Gibson says.

    “All pilots receive comprehensive training but this workshop means they will be even better equipped to fly safely at all times and deal with emergencies.

    “Hay has a good air safety record but accidents do happen and everyone in aviation must work hard to keep local skies safe.”

    The workshop is being held at the Hay Golf Club on Wednesday 23 February 2011, starting at 6:00pm.

    CASA is providing free refreshments for everyone on the night.
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    Pilots urged to keep Griffith skies safe

    Griffith pilots are being urged to attend an important air safety workshop next week.

    The workshop will give local pilots special training to improve their flying and safety skills.

    The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is holding the workshop to help make the skies over Griffith even safer.

    Safety issues to be covered at the workshop include recent changes to procedures at local aerodromes. There will also be the opportunity for pilots to ask questions and raise issues about local flying.

    CASA’s Peter Gibson says the workshop is part of a national regional air safety campaign.

    “Giving pilots from Griffith extra training will lift their safety skills to even higher levels,” Mr Gibson says.

    “All pilots receive comprehensive training but this workshop means they will be even better equipped to fly safely at all times and deal with emergencies.

    “Griffith has a good air safety record but accidents do happen and everyone in aviation must work hard to keep local skies safe.”

    The workshop is being held at the Griffith Aero Club on Tuesday 22 February 2011, starting at 6:00pm.

    CASA is providing free refreshments for everyone on the night.

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    Pilots urged to keep Port Lincoln Australia skies safe

    CASA Media Release – Friday 11 February 2011
    Pilots urged to keep Port Lincoln skies safe

    Port Lincoln pilots are being urged to attend an important air safety workshop next week.

    The workshop will give local pilots special training to improve their flying and safety skills.

    The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is holding the workshop to help make the skies over Port Lincoln even safer.

    Safety issues to be covered at the workshop include aviation weather and avoiding airspace infringements. There will also be the opportunity for pilots to ask questions and raise issues about local flying.

    CASA’s Peter Gibson says the workshop is part of a national regional air safety campaign.

    “Giving pilots from Port Lincoln extra training will lift their safety skills to even higher levels,” Mr Gibson says.

    “All pilots receive comprehensive training but this workshop means they will be even better equipped to fly safely at all times and deal with emergencies.

    “Port Lincoln has a good air safety record but accidents do happen and everyone in aviation must work hard to keep local skies safe.”

    The workshop is being held at the Port Lincoln Aero Club on Wednesday 16 February 2011, starting at 6:00pm.

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    Special flight safety checks are being carried out at New South Wales and Victorian aerodromes this week.

    NSW and Victorian aerodrome flight safety checks

    Special flight safety checks are being carried out at a range of New South Wales and Victorian aerodromes this week.

    There will be a series of low-level flights to make sure flight paths at the aerodrome continue to operate safely.

    A twin-engine Cessna Conquest aircraft will be used to conduct the safety checks within an area up to 35 kilometres from the local aerodrome.

    The two pilots flying the aircraft will ensure navigation aids are operational and not suffering interference, as well as looking for any new obstacles that could be a danger to aviation safety.

    The Civil Aviation Safety Authority requires these checks to be carried out every three years to maintain a high level of air safety at all aerodromes.

    Low-level flying is an essential part of the safety exercise, with aircraft down as low as several hundred feet at times.

    Local residents may notice an uncommon flying pattern, but this is to make sure obstacles are accurately marked on charts and no new obstacles exist. Obstacles can be towers, trees, masts or buildings that can be a danger to aircraft.

    The checks are scheduled to be carried out between 7 and 14 February 2011.

    Aerodromes undergoing flight safety checks this week include Moruya, Cooma, Corryong, Wangaratta, Warracknabeal, Swan Hill, Shepparton, Tocumwal, Tumut, Polo Flat, Albury, Corowa, Yarrawonga, Nhill, Deniliquin, Echuca, and Wagga Wagga.

    If poor weather or other factors do not allow the safety checks to go ahead on the planned days they will be carried out as soon as possible.

    CASA has contracted the operation of the special check flights out to Radiola Aerospace Pty Ltd – a company with wide international expertise in these specialist operations.

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    ATSB: Aviation safety highlighted in bulletin

    The importance of maintaining situational awareness and the risks of pilot distraction are two of the major safety lessons featured in the latest edition of the ATSB’s investigation bulletin, released today.

    Situational awareness was a factor in air proximity events, breakdowns of separation, ground handling and wirestrikes. An example of a situational awareness issue occurred when a Pilatus PC-12/45 and Aeronautica MacchiAL60 passed within close proximity to each other while flying. This incident highlighted the need for aircrew to conduct diligent radio broadcasts and continual visual scanning to minimise the risk of collision.

    The bulletin also identified how pilot distractions can affect the safety of aircraft operations. This was highlighted when the pilot of a Cessna 206 was distracted by other traffic operating in the area and consequently did not change the fuel tank selection. This resulted in an engine failure and subsequent forced landing.
    Other safety lessons featured in the bulletin cover:

    the importance of pilots using all available resources to confirm clearances from the air traffic control
    the importance of not over-extending an aircraft glide after an engine failure
    the difficulties associated with managing an in-flight engine failure at low altitude
    the steps pilots can take to avoid wirestrikes, especially when flying in unfamiliar areas

    the techniques pilots can use to maintain separation from other aircraft.
    Released quarterly, 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 or identified. The bulletin also highlights important safety messages for the broader aviation community, drawing on earlier ATSB investigations and research.

    The report is here

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    Qantas: AC Failure, Cabin Pressure


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Allen Zhao

    What: Qantas B737-400 en route from Adelaide to Melbourne
    Where: Melbourne
    When: Jan 24, 2011
    Who: 99 passengers and six crew
    Why: On experiencing an air conditioning problem, (turning off an overheated air conditioning system and the second system shut down), the plane lost cabin pressure. Thirty minutes out of Melbourne, the pilot descended to 10,000 feet, and continued to make a safe landing at Melbourne.

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    Air New Zealand Bird Strike

    What: Air New Zealand Boeing 737 en route from Dunedin to Wellington
    Where: Dunedin
    When: Jan 26, 2011 4: 50 pm
    Who: 115 passengers
    Why: 20 minutes after takeoff, the plane had a bird strike; a bird was ingested into an engine. The plane returned to make a safe landing

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    Ultralight Crashes in Australia Flood Zone

    What: ultralight
    Where: Toobeah near Goondiwindi, Australia
    When: Jan 18 2010, 2.45pm
    Who: pilot
    Why: Near the border of Queensland and New South Wales, the helicopter struck powerlines and crashed. The area is affected by flooding and difficult to access by emergency services but Queensland Fire and Rescue crews (Four fire units, comprising 16 firefighters) are en route to the location at t Donovans Road, south of the Barwon Highway. The 65 year old pilot has been reported as a fatality.

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    Qantas Engine Flames Out on Runway


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Ven Stephan

    What: Qantas Boeing 747-400 en route from Sydney to Los Angeles
    Where: Sydney
    When: Jan 15th 2011
    Who: 344 passengers
    Why: On the runway for takeoff, a left engine made a banging noise and shot flames. The pilots were able to stop the jet on the runway, and the plane was towed and inspected. Passengers were provided an alternative flight 4 and a half hours later.

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    Pilot dies in Australia Light Air Crash

    What: Jabiru J120-C en route from Swan Hill Airport to a private landing strip near Cullulleraine
    Where: Cullulleraine,Vic, Australia
    When: Jan 4, 2011
    Who: 1 fatality
    Why: Pilot/surveyor Don Pedler crashed nose first near Murray River at Kulnine Station after possibly misjudging wind speed. The plane overshot the runway and crashed, destroying the front section and cockpit.

    The pilot was known to camp out at shearer’s quarters in the area.

    The Lake Cullulleraine fire brigade responded to the scene.

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    Australian Beechcraft Crashes; No injuries

    What: Geraldton Air Charters Beechcraft Bonanza
    Where: Geraldton Australia
    When: Dec 21, 2010 7:05 am
    Who: Pilot
    Why: On takeoff, the pilot crashed into a shed just beyond the end of the runway. The pilot survived. The plane appears to have developed problems on takeoff, did not get far off the ground, and its wing struck a shed across the road. Although the plane is a write-off, the pilot walked away.