Pionair Australia under ATSB investigation for missed approach in QLD

An aircraft that missed its planned landing and was forced to divert to the next major airport has been referred to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

Pionair Australia aircraft VH-SFV. Photo: Trevor May/CQ Plane Spotters

A cargo aircraft flight that missed its planned landing in Rockhampton and was forced to divert to Mackay is now under investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

The British Aerospace jet, model BAE 146 series, was scheduled to depart Brisbane Aerodrome for Rockhampton Aerodome on Thursday January 5, flown by Pionair Australia.

According to an ATSB report, the flight crew was in instrument meteorological conditions on the approach to Rockhampton about 4.45am.

This is when the pilots are using the aircraft navigation guidance instruments manually, generally due to bad weather conditions.

According to the report, the aircraft was below the required altitude while conducting the approach into Rockhampton Aerodrome, and conducted a missed approach, simultaneously causing the notification of a E/GPWS warning.

At the time of the warning, the aircraft was located five nautical miles south-southeast of the Rockhampton Aerodrome.

An E/GPWS warning is when an aircraft is at risk of flying into terrain, obstacles and steep ground.

Following the missed approach, the aircraft diverted to Mackay Aerodrome, where it landed without incident.

There was no damage sustained to the aircraft.

The E/GPWS warning was reported to the ATSB as a “serious incident” and the report is now pending evidence collection and is expected to be completed in quarter two 2023.

Pionair Australia is an independent charter company with headquarters in Sydney.

The aircraft, with a registration of VH-SFV, has been registered to Pionair since 2019 and was manufactured in 1987.

Pionair operates freight flights on behalf of Qantas Freight into Rockhampton and Mackay.