Jetstar flight took evasive action as AirAsia flight became too close

ALARMS sounded in the cockpits as two planes veered dangerously close at Coolangatta Airport. An investigation is now under way.

Pilots of the Jetstar A320 were able to climb to safety.

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into a close-call between two planes over the Gold Coast.

Jetstar pilots were forced to take evasive action over Coolangatta Airport last Thursday, when an AirAsia plane veered dangerously close during takeoff.

The two aircraft came within 152m of each other, violating the minimum 305m gap required by Air Services Australia.

A Jetstar spokesman told news.com.au the plane received clearance from air traffic control to descend when the alarms sounded.

“Our pilots took corrective action to restore the safe distance between the two aircraft,” he said.

“The flight continued onto the Gold Coast and landed without further incident. It’s likely that most passengers would not have been aware of it.”

An AirAsia flight was taking off for Auckland when the planes became too close.

Jetstar’s Airbus A320 was coming in from Avalon in Victoria, while the AirAsia A330 was taking off for Auckland. Combined, the two planes are capable of carrying 550 passengers.

They were not on a direct collision course. Rather, Jetstar says the incident concerned the loss of vertical space between the two aircraft.

AirAsia told news.com.au their pilots followed the flight path according to the heading and altitude provided by air traffic control.

“The crew responded to the resolution advisory by reducing the vertical speed according to flight safety procedures,” she said. “The aircraft took off safely.”

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau says both planes have a collision-avoidance system, which monitors the surrounding airspace and warns of possible risks. Pilots are expected to respond immediately when the alarm sounds.

“The crew of the A320 (conducted) a climb to increase separation,” it summarises on its website.

Both airlines are cooperating with the investigation.