[Peetwo]

Things that (almost) go bump in the night - 

Via HVH ATCB HQ: https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/inv...-2018-070/

Summary

The ATSB is investigating a loss of separation involving a Virgin Australia Airlines Boeing 737 aircraft, registered VH-YFW, and a Qantas Airways Boeing 737 aircraft, registered VH-VZD, near Amberley, Queensland, on 11 October 2018.

The controller issued a weather diversion and approach clearance to the inbound Boeing 737, which resulted in a loss of separation with the departing Boeing 737.

As part of the investigation the ATSB will conduct interviews and gather additional information.
A report will be published at the completion of the investigation. However, should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties.
 

And via Ironsider in the Oz today:

Twin inquiries into close call
ROBYN IRONSIDE
Dual investigations are under way into why Qantas and Virgin Australia aircraft came dangerously close over Brisbane last week.

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Dual investigations are under way into why Qantas and Virgin Australia planes came dangerously close in bad weather over Brisbane last week.

According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, a Qantas 737 was flying into Brisbane from Melbourne on Thursday afternoon, as a Virgin Australia 737 ­departed Brisbane for Proserpine in north Queensland.

Over Amberley, about 66km from Brisbane Airport, the air traffic controller issued a weather ­diversion and approach clearance to the Qantas aircraft, resulting in a loss of separation with the ­departing Virgin flight.

Under Australian airspace regulations, aircraft flying in controlled airspace up to 8800m must maintain a vertical separation of at least 305m, or a horizontal separation of 9.26km.

The Australian understands that at the time of the incident, both the Qantas and Virgin Australia aircraft were following ATC directions.

Loss of separation incidents are not unusual in controlled airspace, with about one every three days, but investigations are limited to those where there is an elevated risk of collision.

As part of its investigation, the ATSB said it would conduct interviews and gather additional information. If a critical safety issue was identified during the investigation, the ATSB would immediately ­notify relevant parties.

Airservices Australia is also investigating the incident due to the involvement of air traffic controllers. The investigations were flagged as Airservices released its annual report citing “zero significant safety occurrences” in the 2018 financial year.

The government-owned authority also announced a $74.5 million net profit, up from $59m the previous year, and reaffirmed its commitment to hold prices at 2015 levels until 2023.

Although the number of people employed by Airservices fell from 3711 to 3534, air traffic controllers increased by 30, to 1067 across 29 airports.

An Airservices Australia spokeswoman said a national recruitment program was in place to ensure an “adequate supply of controllers at all our locations”.

She said each year, more than 50 new recruits were selected and then placed in locations across the country.

“For example, eight new air traffic controllers have joined the Sydney tower in the last 18 months,” she said.

Staffing of the towers has ­recently been in the spotlight following the cancellation of dozens of flights from Sydney when two controllers called in sick on the last day of school holidays.

President of Civil Air Australia, Tom McRobert, said just like ­pilots, controllers were in short supply worldwide.

“The Middle East and places like Hong Kong have a very significant shortage and it takes time to recruit and train air traffic controllers,” he said.

“We have lost some ­people overseas, and when ATC (air ­traffic control) was taken off the 457 visa list, that created ­issues for some international ­recruits.”

The Airservices spokeswoman denied it was understaffed.

TICK...TOCK miniscule 8G, TICK...TOCK indeed -  


MTF...P2