VH-Cheer Up
29th Oct 2004, 08:51
Article from The Age
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Source: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/28/1098667909451.html?from=storylhs
Pilot on wrong wavelength manages to avoid collision
By Orietta Guerrera
Canberra
October 29, 2004
Two light aircraft narrowly avoided a midair disaster over Phillip Island in June after one of the pilots flew without an updated radio frequency chart.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau found that a Cirrus SR20 and a Cessna 172 aircraft came within 200 metres horizontally and 15 metres vertically of each other on June 6. The planes, with only the pilots on board, were travelling outside controlled air space but within air traffic control radar coverage.
In an incident report released yesterday, the bureau found the planes were on different radio frequencies. It was only after the pilots spotted each other that they were able to act to avoid a midair crash.
"Both pilots took evasive action by making high angle of bank right turns," the report said.
"Reports from the pilots indicated that the aircraft passed in close proximity."
The Cirrus pilot received some warning that another aircraft was just below his plane, but was unable to make contact with its pilot.
The bureau found the Cessna pilot was tuned in to the wrong radio frequency and was unaware of the looming danger.
The pilot had not received a copy of a new chart from Airservices Australia detailing the appropriate radio frequencies, distributed to all licensed pilots in March.
Airservices Australia could not explain yesterday why the pilot did not receive a chart until a month after the incident.
Air space reforms introduced by the Federal Government in November 2003 have been criticised by some pilots and air traffic controllers as unsafe.
The new system removed surveillance on some air space, putting the onus on pilots to look out for other planes.
The changes will now be partially rolled back, to come into effect on November 25, and Airservices Australia is issuing new radio frequency charts.
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Frequencies on charts. Another great idea from the people who brought you the flight data recorder.
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Source: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/28/1098667909451.html?from=storylhs
Pilot on wrong wavelength manages to avoid collision
By Orietta Guerrera
Canberra
October 29, 2004
Two light aircraft narrowly avoided a midair disaster over Phillip Island in June after one of the pilots flew without an updated radio frequency chart.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau found that a Cirrus SR20 and a Cessna 172 aircraft came within 200 metres horizontally and 15 metres vertically of each other on June 6. The planes, with only the pilots on board, were travelling outside controlled air space but within air traffic control radar coverage.
In an incident report released yesterday, the bureau found the planes were on different radio frequencies. It was only after the pilots spotted each other that they were able to act to avoid a midair crash.
"Both pilots took evasive action by making high angle of bank right turns," the report said.
"Reports from the pilots indicated that the aircraft passed in close proximity."
The Cirrus pilot received some warning that another aircraft was just below his plane, but was unable to make contact with its pilot.
The bureau found the Cessna pilot was tuned in to the wrong radio frequency and was unaware of the looming danger.
The pilot had not received a copy of a new chart from Airservices Australia detailing the appropriate radio frequencies, distributed to all licensed pilots in March.
Airservices Australia could not explain yesterday why the pilot did not receive a chart until a month after the incident.
Air space reforms introduced by the Federal Government in November 2003 have been criticised by some pilots and air traffic controllers as unsafe.
The new system removed surveillance on some air space, putting the onus on pilots to look out for other planes.
The changes will now be partially rolled back, to come into effect on November 25, and Airservices Australia is issuing new radio frequency charts.
-------------------------------
Frequencies on charts. Another great idea from the people who brought you the flight data recorder.