A332 / A332, en-route, near Adelaide South Australia, 2013

A332 / A332, en-route, near Adelaide South Australia, 2013

Summary

On 20 September 2013, a loss of separation occurred between two en route Airbus A330s under radar surveillance in controlled airspace near Adelaide. The potential conflict was resolved with TCAS RA action by one of the aircraft involved but the TCAS equipment on board the other aircraft appeared to have malfunctioned and did not display any traffic information or generate an RA. The complex pattern of air routes in the vicinity of the event was identified by the Investigation as a Safety Issue requiring resolution by the ANSP and the response subsequently received was assessed as satisfactory.

Description

On 20 September 2013, prescribed separation under radar control was lost just west of Adelaide in day Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) between two opposite direction Airbus A330-200s, both operated by Qantas, one (VH-EBO) operating a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Sydney to Perth and the other (VH-EBS) operating a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Perth to Sydney which were both in the cruise. One of the aircraft received and followed a TCAS RA. Minimum vertical separation was 650 feet when 4.1nm apart laterally followed by a minimum lateral separation of 1.6nm with 870 feet vertical separation.

Closest lateral proximity of the two aircraft whilst still not 1000 feet apart vertically (reproduced from the Official Report)

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the ATSB. Recorded flight data was retrieved from both aircraft and from the ATS Unit involved. It was noted (see the diagram below) that the ATS Unit concerned was the Melbourne ACC. It was found that the controller in the position responsible for the location where the conflict subsequently occurred had recently added the permanently combined Tailem Bend (TLM) / Kingscote (KSC) sectors to his original area of responsibility, the permanently combined Augusta (AUG) and Spencer (SPN) sectors. At this point he had only just taken over after a period monitoring another controller who was on a familiarisation shift on the TLM/KSC sectors. Low traffic levels were noted to have prevailed in all four sectors.

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