Near Mid-Air At Darwin???
 

G'day all,
Just got this off the news.com.au website:

"An angry airline boss last night demanded an investigation into how two light planes came within about 30m of crashing into each other at Darwin airport.

Hardy Aviation owner John Hardy said the near miss was probably caused because the airport was used as a training ground for air traffic controllers.

He said a supervisor should have taken over as soon it was realised there was a problem.

Pilot Martin Earle was bringing two passengers back from Maningrida in Arnhem Land when he received ``confused'' instructions from the control tower on Friday afternoon.

The Baron Beechcraft had just touched down when it was ordered to take off again.

``We were still on the runway and travelling at a bit of speed,'' said one of the passengers.

``The pilot took off but we were up for less than a minute when we were told to land again.''

As the twin-engine aircraft landed on the main runway another light aircraft flew over it from behind.

``It was very close _ about 100 feet away,'' the passenger said. ``We weren't far away from a collision.

``We don't know where the other aircraft had come from.

``There seemed to be total confusion.

``The control tower obviously made a serious mistake.''

He said Mr Earle was ``very annoyed'' by the incident.

``The pilot did everything correctly and was upset by the incident,'' he said.

The RAAF was last night still investigating the incident. "

Northern Territory News


Anyone know anything about it? Sounds like a few missing details. I liked the bit about Darwin being a training ground for ATC - no other airports around Australia have trainees do they? ;) Cheers all,

NFR.

As for the confusion, how could anyone take-off again then land again in "less than a minute" ... too much time to be flying down what's left of the LDA and not enough for any sort of normal circuit. Sounds like he landed twice on the one runway on one approach.

Sorry, Brakes... wonder how much runway he had left. Then again DN is pretty long (said the bishop to...) Speculation only due sketchy details and current state of boredom....... facts appreciated.

Definitely some info missing.



Did that "angry" bloke previously work at Air North, like years ago? Ops manager or something? If yes, I remember him as an @r$ehole! Don't worry, I found a job eventually... :ok: (middle finger)

If mistaken identity, sorry mate..... :ok: (thumb)

NFR
Darwin ATC is run by the RAAF isn't it? I thought the RAAF had a tower simulator (saw photos once - cool graphics, even put roos on the runway!), although you're right - every controller have to start somewhere ;)

NT News? Was there a comment about a crocodile in the tower? I blame the crocodiles.

Obiwan,
Yes, the RAAF does run Darwin. And yes, the RAAF has a Tower sim, as does AirServices. All basic training by both parties is done in Simulators and then people go out into the field to get real ratings. All ATC who move into a new TWR/APP/ENR areas must be trained, even if it is your 15th posting and you have 30 years experience - everywhere is different.

I think what the learned gentleman from Hardy's was saying is that the experience level in the RAAF controllers in Darwin is relativeley low - most move on after 3 - 5 years to their next posting. However, the RAAF is now employing Australian Public Service personnel as ATC which will provide a more stable core of experienced controllers in bases all around Australia, including Darwin.

Hope this has answered some questions. Cheers,

NFR.

Itchybum, Darwin has ample length to do a double landing in a Baron. Whether or not that's what happened in this case I don't know. Sounds like it from the information given.

Maybe In Darwin they confuse air combat controllers with air traffic controllers.

One brings them together, the other supposedly keeps them apart. Just a suggestion.

Tobzalp; A Crocodile you say? You sure it was'nt a Dingo??:E

You only live twice. Once when
you're born. Once when
you've looked death in the face.

Was'nt me this time:*

ding

Sorry Ding, did'nt mean you.:O Meant the other Dingo....er yeah, that one......

You only live twice. Once when
you're born. Once when
you've looked death in the face.