[Peetwo]

ATSB publish AO numbers finally - 

I guess the Popinjay admin crew are back to work, here is the last three AAI numbers with summary:

Ref:  https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/inv...o-2022-068

Collision with terrain involving Stoddard Hamilton Aircraft Glasair Super II FT, N600, near Wedderburn, New South Wales, on 26 December 2022

Summary

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has commenced an investigation into the collision with terrain involving a Stoddard Hamilton Aircraft Glasair Super II FT, registered N600, near Wedderburn, New South Wales, on 26 December 2022.

While operating in the vicinity of the Wedderburn airstrip, New South Wales, the aircraft collided with terrain. The two occupants were fatally injured and the aircraft destroyed by a post-impact fire. The investigation is continuing.

A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken.

Note on the above, for some reason this investigation is yet to receive an 'investigation level' IE Short, Defined, Systemic etc..

Next:  https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/inv...o-2022-067

Collision with terrain involving Cessna Aircraft Company 210N, VH-TFT, near Bulman, Northern Territory, on 24 December 2022

Summary

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the collision with terrain involving a Cessna Aircraft Company 210N, registered VH-TFT, near Bulman, Northern Territory, on 24 December 2022

The aircraft collided with terrain and the two occupants sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The investigation is continuing.

A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken.

Finally: https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/inv...o-2023-001

Mid-air collision involving two helicopters near Main Beach, Gold Coast, Queensland, on 2 January 2023

Summary

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has commenced an investigation into the mid-air collision between VH-XKQ and VH-XH9 helicopters below 500 feet above ground level in the vicinity the Seaworld Helipad, QLD at about 1400 hrs EST on 2 January 2023.

VH-XKQ subsequently collided with terrain and VH-XH9 made an emergency landing. Four people were fatally injured, six sustained serious injuries, and four sustained minor injuries. The investigation is continuing.

A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken.

I am glad to see that both of the above 2 AAIs (especially the Gold Coast Seaworld chopper midair) the investigation level is defined. This suggests that the evidence collected so far (at this stage at least) points towards a fairly straight forward investigation which should be concluded fairly promptly.

It is a concern however that with all three of the above investigations it was stated that the prelim report would be released in somewhere between 6 to 8 weeks time - WTD??

MTF...P2