Description

On 13 October 2009, an Avro RJ100 being operated by Malmö Aviation on a scheduled passenger flight from Stockholm Bromma to Malmö in day Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) came into proximity with a unseen light aircraft crossing below which activated a TCAS RA which was followed. The flight crew were unaware that they were outside controlled airspace at the time. No abrupt manoeuvring occurred and none of the 85 occupants were injured.

Investigation

An Investigation into the incident was carried out by the Swedish AIB. ATC recordings of radar and R/T communications were available.

It was established that the flight crew of the Avro aircraft had reported “field in sight” when under radar control approximately 20 nm north north-east of Malmö in descent through 3600 feet altitude for cleared altitude 3000 feet and, after a request to continue visually, had been authorised by ATC to route to right hand downwind for runway 35 and change to destination TWR frequency. The aircraft had then continued to 2000 feet altitude with the flight crew unaware the base of controlled airspace in the area was an altitude of 2500 feet.

About 12 nm east-northeast of destination and level at 2000 feet, a TCAS RA to ‘Maintain Vertical Speed’ was received and complied with. ATC radar recordings showed that the TCAS target was a VFR light aircraft maintaining approximately 800 feet below the Avro.