Description

On 17 October 2006, at night, in low cloud and poor visibility conditions in the vicinity of Kinloss Airfield UK, a loss of separation event occurred between an RAF Nimrod MR2 aircraft and a civilian AS332L Puma helicopter.

The Nimrod was flying an aerodrome training circuit and was vectored by Approach for an “azimuth-only” approach [no glidepath information - advisory heights are passed with range from touchdown]. When the Nimrod was on short final (2-3nm), the crew executed a go-around as part of the training and the aircraft came in close proximity to a previously departed AS332L helicopter.

Summary of Information Reported to UKAB

The following is an extract from the United Kindgdom Airpox Bard (UKAB) Report 154/06 on the Serious Incident:

"As the Nimrod approached departure end of RW08, the A3701 squawk (the discrete code assigned to AS332L) was directly ahead and slightly below the Nimrod and turned R (right) eventually onto the track of about 170°. The Nimrod was indicating 2200ft Mode C and the Puma was indicating 2000ft Mode C climbing.

The Nimrod was on TALKDOWN position frequency, and was transferred to LOS APP controller shortly before the loss of separation occurred. The departing helicopter was on TWR frequency and was transferred to LOS APP frequency during the loss of separation.

The statement of the LOS APP controller includes: