Australia investigates fourth close call at Sydney airport in less than a month
SYDNEY: Australia’s transport safety regulator said on Friday it had launched an investigation into a fourth incident involving air traffic control at Sydney airport in less than a month after two planes were directed towards the same intersection on the ground.
Australia's transport safety regulator has launched an investigation into a fourth incident at Sydney airport in less than a month, involving air traffic control. The most recent incident occurred on Tuesday when a Qantas Airbus A321 preparing to depart for the Gold Coast had to brake to avoid colliding with another Qantas Boeing 737, which had arrived from Melbourne.
The ATSB stated there was no immediate risk of collision, but the investigation will explore if there are contributing factors in common with three other incidents at the airport during the same period. Interviews with air traffic controllers and flight crew, review of recorded data, and collection of other relevant information will be part of the process.
A preliminary report is expected in six to eight weeks. Similar incidents occurred on July 27 and August 9, involving Qantas and Jetstar aircraft. The ATSB also received a report from an air traffic controller expressing concerns over the preparation for complex airspace and procedure changes following the opening of a new international airport in Sydney's west.
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