The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its latest update of the Aviation Occurrence Statistics, 1999 to 2009.
Each year, 'responsible persons', as defined in the Transport Safety Investigation Regulations 2003, Part 2.5, provide the ATSB with reports on aviation accidents and incidents, collectively termed 'occurrences'. These reports are used by the ATSB to assist with the independent investigation of occurrences and for identifying safety trends.
Of particular interest is the GA section of the report, which covers aerial work, flying training, and private/business and (VH-registered) sport aviation. The report found that the number of GA accidents and serious incidents has remained generally consistent since 2007.
In 2009, there were 126 accidents, including 18 fatal accidents, and 95 serious incidents. Compared with flying training, aerial work has an accident rate per million hours that is two times higher, and private/business has an accident rate that is 2.5 times higher.
In terms of fatal accidents per million hours, the fatality rate in aerial work is three times higher than flying training, and private/business is at least six times higher.
Image courtesy of Wayne Grant and QBE Aviation.
