B734 / C172, vicinity Girona Spain, 2016

B734 / C172, vicinity Girona Spain, 2016

Summary

On 28 September 2016, a Boeing 737-400 and a Cessna 172 both on IFR Flight Plans came into close proximity when about to turn final on the same non-precision approach at Girona from different initial joining routes. The Investigation found that two ACC sector controllers had issued conflicting approach clearances after losing situational awareness following a routine sector split due to an area ATC flow configuration change. The detection of the consequences of their error had then been hindered by a temporary area low level radar outage but helped by timely visual acquisition by both aircraft and a TCAS RA.

Description

On 28 September 2016, a Boeing 737-400 (SP-ENA) being operated by Enter Air on an international non revenue positioning flight from Warsaw to Girona as ENT 1237 and a Cessna 172 (EC-JOB) being operated by Barcelona Flight School for instructional purposes out of Sabadell were both making procedural VOR/DME approaches to runway 02 at Girona under IFR but in day VMC. Both pilots had the other aircraft in sight as they neared final approach from opposite directions and when a TCAS RA was annunciated on board the 737 and it became visually obvious that continuing with their respective tracks would be hazardous, the Cessna initiated a 360° turn to clear the anticipated track of the 737 and any risk of collision was averted.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Spanish Commission for the Investigation of Accidents and Incidents (CIAIAC). The QAR from the 737 was downloaded by the Operator and relevant data provided to the Investigation. Available recorded ATC data were also obtained. The prevailing weather conditions included clear skies and good visibility and it was considered that the weather had no bearing on any aspect of the conflict.

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