Sydney Airport under investigation after fourth safety incident

Australia's transport safety regulator, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), has launched an investigation into a fourth close call at Sydney airport in less than a month. The incidents involve air traffic control and the potential for collisions among planes. On August 21, a Qantas Airbus A321 preparing to depart for the Gold Coast braked to avoid colliding with another Qantas Boeing 737 that had arrived from Melbourne two days prior.

The ATSB stated there was no immediate risk of collision, but the investigation aims to uncover any common contributing factors to the multiple incidents. The evidence collection phase will involve interviewing involved air traffic controllers and flight crew, retrieving and reviewing recorded data, and gathering other relevant information.

A preliminary report is expected in six to eight weeks. Previous incidents include two Qantas aircraft 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 1 km short of a Qantas aircraft on the same day. Additionally, the ATSB received a report from an air traffic controller in early June, expressing concerns over the lack of time given for air traffic controllers to learn complex airspace and procedure changes due to the opening of a new international airport in Sydney's west.