[Peetwo]

ATSB & AAAA, a partnership of sincerity -

Finally an ATSB news story for Hoody that does not involve dodgy reports, tediously long investigations or MH370 & 'correcting the bollocks'. Nor does it involve CAsA's Pinocchio Gobson authorising the twitter guy to make derogatory comments (see below) on Aerial Ag Ops..  

Background reference:     

FF cornered rats are biting back -

A tweet from CASA was intercepted earlier today by Phil Hurst CEO of the AAAA's:

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Now why on earth would the Fort Fumble twitter guy feel the need to tweep such inflammatory bollocks, especially when you consider the date of the ATSB MR (16 September) and the paragraph before, the CASA stated statistics, had a much more positive message:

Wirestrike accidents ongoing concern in aerial application

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau says pilots continue to collide with known wires in aerial application, including agricultural spraying, spreading and firefighting.


The ATSB’s Aerial application safety 2015–2016 year in review found wirestrike was the most common cause of accident and serious incidents in aerial application between May 2015 and April 2016.

Wirestrikes (where an aircraft hits a wire such as a powerline) caused 11 accidents and serious incidents in the 12 month period. Other types of accidents and serious incidents were engine failure or malfunction (6), collision with terrain (3), controlled flight into terrain (2) and runway excursion (2).

Most wirestrikes involve wires that the pilot was already aware of. Often, they involve wires which the pilot has flown several times before that day.

With their flying operations very close to the ground, aerial application pilots are well aware of the dangers of wires. The ATSB says pilots need to know the location of wires in the area to be sprayed through maps, talking with land owners and locals, and through aerial reconnaissance before operations commence.

Spraying patterns need to be organised with the wire locations in mind, and pilots need to maintain focus during their flying task, and use continuous reminders of the presence of wires. When plans change or the spray pattern differs such as for clean-up runs, pilots need to redo their aerial reconnaissance of wires.

Although there has been a slight growth in the number of accidents over the past three years, there were considerably fewer accidents each year in the past decade than in the previous 25 years.

Aerial agriculture has the second highest accident rate per million hours flown across the operation types, behind non-VH-registered recreational aeroplanes.

Aerial application operations are inherently risky, involving low-level flying, high workloads and obstacles such as power lines and uneven terrain.

Read the ATSB research report (AR-2016-022) Aerial application safety 2015-2016 year in review

    
It is also worth reflecting on the following AP posts from the SMH thread, which clearly show that Phil Hurst & AAAA, in partnership with the ATSB are not being complacent and are being clearly proactive in addressing these safety issues:

...Moving on and I note another 'good news' story coming out of the ATSB, that again does not include the Grandstanding Beaker...hurrah to that!

Media release

Title

Report to educate aerial agriculture and firefighting pilots
 
Date: 10 July 2015
As aerial agriculture pilots prepare for an early spring start to their busiest time of year, a new ATSB report highlights past aviation safety events in the industry.

ATSB's Manager Reporting and Analysis, Dr Stuart Godley said, 'ATSB has been working closely with the Aerial Agricultural Association of Australia (AAAA) to strengthen their long-standing education and training program by using reported incidents and ATSB investigations to identify key learning opportunities for pilots.

'The statistics clearly identify a long term trend in improving safety in the sector, but both ATSB and AAAA remain committed to improving the safety record even further.

'These statistics should serve as a reminder of the risks these pilots will face during the season that are not present in most other types of flying. Hazards include low-level flying with high workloads and numerous obstacles, in particular powerlines and uneven terrain.

'The good news is that, while these risks are always present, they are generally manageable', said Dr Godley.

The report focuses on aerial application accidents between May 2014 and April 2015 to coincide with the agriculture season in most parts of Australia.

Dr Godley said, 'Wirestrike was the most prevalent type of occurrence with more than half of the total accidents and serious incidents involving a wirestrike'.

Mr Phil Hurst, CEO of the AAAA said, 'We approached ATSB with the idea of producing an annual statement of safety trends in the industry to support aerial application pilots in their ongoing professional development through AAAA’s comprehensive ‘Professional Pilot Program’ and training courses.
 
'This report is a very useful addition to the tools available to professional low level pilots and AAAA thanks ATSB for their practical response in improving access to the valuable safety data they hold.'

There were 13 accidents with one resulting in fatal injury in the preceding 12 months. In total, there were 24 reported accidents and incidents involving aerial agriculture and firefighting operations.

Read the report: Aerial application safety: 2014 to 2015 year in review

Media contact: contact ATSB on 1800 020 616 or Phil Hurst (AAAA) on 0427 622 430

Accolades to Stuart Godley (on behalf of the ATSB) & Phil Hurst (representing the AAAA) for an excellent proactive initiative - & no muppets or CASA in sight...

Gold stars and no Muppet = Bliss.

P2 – “Accolades to Stuart Godley (on behalf of the ATSB) & Phil Hurst (representing the AAAA) for an excellent proactive initiative - & no muppets or CASA in sight.”

I think we must go a couple of steps beyond ‘accolades’.  Young Mr. Godley is shaping up as ‘old school’ ATSB and deserves some well earned praise as a bright spot in a dull, drab firmament of endless grey.  He stood his ground very well in Estimates, seems to have a firm grip of his subject and is unafraid to admit to ‘weakness’ in system or method.  Bravo – and thank you for restoring a little faith.

Mr Phil Hurst, CEO of the AAAA said, 'We approached ATSB with the idea of producing an annual statement of safety trends in the industry to support aerial application pilots in their ongoing professional development through AAAA’s comprehensive ‘Professional Pilot Program’ and training courses. 

Phil Hurst and his crew are consummate professionals, doing a job CASA should be assisting with by developing a tailor made PPP, based on real experience and mitigating the risks they know exist with common sense and good guidance.  The notion to bring in the ATSB was brilliant and once again, Mr. Godley has done the ATSB proud.  This sort of collaboration and cooperation should be made the benchmark for future exercises. Industry expertise combined with specialised ATSB knowledge with one purpose; reducing the risk that someone may not get to the Friday arvo BBQ.  

'This report is a very useful addition to the tools available to professional low level pilots and AAAA thanks ATSB for their practical response in improving access to the valuable safety data they hold.'

It’s so bloody nice to be able to find a positive step, in the right direction, I’m going to be smiling all day now.  Well done Phil, AAAA and Mr Godley; well done indeed.... .... ........ ........ ......... ........... ......

In the lead up to what is apparently going to be a busy aerial application season, there has already been a couple of aerial agriculture accidents one of which occurred two days ago and was tragically fatal:

Summary

The ATSB is investigating a fatal aircraft accident involving an Air Tractor AT-502 registered VH-LIK, that occurred near Walgett, NSW on 5 November 2016. The aircraft collided with terrain while conducting spraying operations. The pilot was the sole occupant.

The ATSB has deployed a team of three investigators to the accident site. The team arrived on Sunday and are expected to remain on site until Tuesday. As part of the investigation the team will:

• Examine the aircraft wreckage and site
  
• Collect and review aircraft and pilot documentation
  
• Review weather conditions at the time of the occurrence
  

Witnesses are asked to call the ATSB on 1800 020 616.

 
General details

Date: 05 Nov 2016
 
Investigation status: Active
 
Time: 10:00 ESuT
 
Investigation type: Occurrence Investigation
 
Location   (show map): near Walgett Airport, E 60 km
 
Occurrence type: Collision with terrain
 
State: New South Wales
 
Occurrence category: Accident
 
Report status: Pending
 
Highest injury level: Fatal
 
Expected completion: Nov 2017

Aircraft details

Aircraft manufacturer: Air Tractor Inc
 
Aircraft model: AT-502
 
Aircraft registration: VH-LIK
 
Serial number: 502-0115
 
Type of operation: Aerial Work
 
Sector: Turboprop
 
Damage to aircraft: Destroyed 
 
 


Last update 07 November 2016

 
This has prompted a spontaneous and proactive response from both the ATSB and the AAAA's:

Safety bureau ramps up warning for agricultural pilots

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has reinforced a warning to pilots involved in aerial application after a spate of wirestrikes in the past month.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood says pilots need to be extra vigilant with the crop spraying season ramping up as we move into summer, with reports of a particularly busy season for aerial agriculture.

“Wirestrikes are always a major issue for pilots involved in aerial application work,” Mr Hood said.

“With this season, it appears to be an even bigger issue. We’ve had five wirsestrike incidents reported to us in the past few weeks. There is no doubt that with an increase in operations, the risk goes up dramatically.”

The ATSB published its Aerial application safety 2015–2016 year in review only last month. It showed wirestrikes to be the most common cause of accidents and serious incidents in aerial application between May 2015 and April 2016.

“Aerial application operations are inherently risky,” Mr Hood said “They involve low-level flying, high workloads and obstacles such as power lines and uneven terrain.

“Pilots have a high workload to navigate these hazards, and have a shorter reaction time if they encounter an issue and need to respond accordingly. But if pilots are working in areas of known wires, the hazard is manageable.”

The ATSB is also investigating a fatal aerial application accident near Walgett, NSW on Saturday, 5 November 2016. The cause of the accident is not yet known.

Safety meetings

The Aerial Application Association of Australia (AAAA) is currently holding Air Improvement Meetings (AIM) for their members around the country. In response to high seasonal demands during the 2015–2016 season, AAAA is holding additional breakfast safety meetings focusing on safety. Wirestrikes will be a key focus of these meetings.
Strategies developed by the AAAA and the ATSB to help pilots manage the risk of wirestrikes include:

• ensuring you are physically and mentally fit to fly
  
• setting client expectations so that they are clear that safety comes first
  
• conducting a thorough briefing and study a detailed map of the area before the flight
  
• conducting an aerial reconnaissance before spraying and conduct an extra aerial reconnaissance before the clean-up run
  
• reassessing the risks when plans change
  
• avoiding unnecessary distractions and refocus when distracted
  
• being aware of vigilance limitations
  
• not relying on your ability to react in time to avoid a wire
  
• actively look for and remind yourself of wires
  
• being aware of and managing pressures
  
• having a systematic approach to safely managing wires.
  

More information
Avoidable Accidents No. 2 - Wirestrikes involving known wires: A manageable aerial agriculture hazard
ATSB research report (AR-2016-022) Aerial application safety 2015-2016 year in review
 



Last update 07 November 2016

Well done Hoody and the ATSB, back to ToRs in partnership with Phil Hurst and the AAAA's -


MTF...P2