B789 / C172, en-route, northwest of Madrid Spain, 2017

B789 / C172, en-route, northwest of Madrid Spain, 2017

Summary

On 8 August 2017, a Boeing 787-9 climbing through FL109 after departing Madrid received and promptly followed a TCAS RA  DESCEND against crossing traffic at FL110 and this action quickly resolved the conflict. The Investigation found that both aircraft involved were following their IFR clearances and attributed the conflict to the controller involved who forgot to resolve a previously-identified potential conflict whilst resolving another potential conflict elsewhere in the sector. It was also found that the corresponding STCA activation had not been noticed and in any event had occurred too late to be of use.

Description

On 8 August 2017, a Boeing 787-9 (N825AA) being operated by American Airlines on an international passenger flight from Madrid to Dallas-Fort Worth as AAL37 with an augmented flight crew and climbing to FL240 came into conflict in day VMC with crossing traffic, a Cessna 172M (EC-IEO) being operated by Aerocentre on an I/R training flight from Madrid Cuatro Vientos to Burgos as ACR31 and level at FL110. The conflict was avoided by the 787 crew following a TCAS RA and the 172 pilot performing a complimentary visual manoeuvre.

Investigation

Once the Spanish Commission for the Investigation of Accidents and Incidents (CIAIAC) had been informed of the event and commenced their Investigation, relevant flight recorder information had been overwritten but a comprehensive set of relevant recorded ATC data was available. The conflict had occurred in the Madrid TMA where the ANSP was ENAIRE.

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