Australia investigates fourth close call at Sydney airport in less than a month

Australia's transport safety regulator has launched an investigation into a fourth close call at Sydney airport in less than a month, according to reports. On Tuesday, a Qantas Airbus A321 preparing to depart for the Gold Coast braked to avoid colliding with another Qantas Boeing 737 that had just arrived from Melbourne. The two aircraft were cleared to follow different paths on the ground, but the Airbus had to turn onto a taxiway that the Boeing had been cleared to use.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) stated there was no immediate risk of collision, but launched the investigation to determine if there were any common contributing factors with three other incidents at the airport over the past month. The evidence collection phase will involve interviews with air traffic controllers and flight crew, as well as reviewing recorded data and other relevant information.

A preliminary report is expected in six to eight weeks. Previous incidents include two Qantas planes narrowly avoiding a collision on July 27, a Jetstar A320 braking suddenly on August 9 to avoid a Qatar Airways Boeing 777, and a Virgin Australia 737 stopping about 1km short of a Qantas aircraft on the same day. The ATSB also received a report on Thursday about air traffic controllers being unprepared for complex airspace and procedure changes due to the opening of a new international airport in Sydney's west.