From abc.net news:
Controller suspended after mid-air collision scare
By Bridget Brennan
Photo: The Qantas planes came within 200 metres of colliding.
An air traffic controller has been suspended over a mid-air incident in which two planes carrying 270 passengers came within 200 metres of colliding near Darwin International Airport.
The Australian Department of Defence and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau are investigating last Tuesday's incident.
An ADF spokeswoman says it is believed an air traffic controller directed a Qantas Boeing 717 flight from Alice Springs, that was on course to land, and a Qantas Boeing 737, that had just taken off en route to Melbourne, on to a path that would have taken them through the same height.
The ABC understands that a RAAF Hercules C-130 transport plane also flying in the area at the time had been assigned the same air traffic control system tag as one of the two passenger airliners.
This is believed to have caused confusion about the aircraft in the air traffic control tower.
The traffic collision avoidance system aboard the Boeing 717, carrying 115 passengers, is believed to have indicated that the two aircraft were on the same path and separated by about 200 metres in altitude.
There were 155 passengers on board the Boeing 737.
One plane is reported to have passed directly below the other.
President of the Australian and International Pilots Association president Barry Jackson says the pilots worked quickly to avoid a collision.
"Air traffic (controllers), as pilots, are under pressure and there are incidents like this that happen," he said.
"The investigation process is designed such that we find out if there are any failings."
The controller has been suspended temporarily while the investigation takes place.
Good load factors. Need another 10 seats!
