ATSB investigates why two Qantas 737s were placed on a collision course at Sydney Airport

The ATSB is investigating the reasons why two Qantas 737 jets were placed on a collision course at Sydney Airport.

The ATSB is investigating why two Qantas 737s came into “close proximity” on the main runway. Picture: AFP.

An investigation is under way into why air traffic control cleared a Qantas 737 to take off from Sydney Airport’s parallel runway, putting it on a collision course with another jet which was coming in to land.

The “close proximity” event occurred on the afternoon of April 29, as one 737 departed for Brisbane and the other Qantas 737 arrived into Sydney from Queenstown.

An investigation summary published by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau said both aircraft were using runway 16L, which runs parallel to Sydney Airport’s main landing strip – 16R.

“After a preceding flight had vacated runway 16L, the controller issued VH-VZM (to Brisbane) with a takeoff clearance, and there was a close proximity event with VH-VZW (from Queenstown) on approach,” the summary says.

“The controller reportedly instructed the flight crew of VH-VZW to conduct a missed approach and then vectored the aircraft on to a diverging track.”

Each flight was carrying about 170 passengers, and a Qantas spokeswoman said their pilots “followed air traffic control directions”.

Airservices Australia was believed to be undertaking an internal investigation into the directions issued by the controller.

The incident came amid ongoing concerns about staffing at the Sydney Airport air traffic control tower.

Qantas and other airlines have previously indicated ATC staff shortages were behind all too frequent runway restrictions in Sydney, resulting in poor on-time performance.

On Thursday the air traffic controllers’ union, Civil Air, said staffing continued to be a challenge in Sydney and high rates of overtime were necessary to maintain operations.

The issue was in the process of being addressed by Airservices Australia, which embarked on a major recruitment drive last month. The government-owned agency expected to have a dozen trainees operational by the end of June, and aimed to place a total of 80 new controllers by next July.

The ATSB’s final report on the close proximity incident was slated for release by the end of September.

Another ATSB investigation is under way into an incident at the Sunshine Coast Airport last Sunday, in which a training flight taxied on to the runway without clearance as a Qantas 737 prepared to land.

Air traffic control instructed the 737 arriving from Melbourne to fly around in order to allow the Diamond DA40 aircraft to leave the area.

In a twist the light plane, operated by Flight Training Adelaide, was preparing to return to the Qantas pilot training academy at Toowoomba’s Wellcamp Airport.

The ATSB was “examining the circumstances that led to the runway incursion, to determine contributing factors”.

“The investigation will include interviewing the flight crew, air traffic controller, and other relevant personnel, examining available recorded data, reviewing relevant procedures and collecting other evidence as required,” the ATSB investigation brief says.

The final report was slated to be delivered before the end of the year.