FED: Aviation authorities investigate near collision over NT

AAP General News (Australia)
12-28-2009
FED: Aviation authorities investigate near collision over NT

CANBERRA, Dec 28 AAP - Aviation safety authorities are investigating how two passenger
planes wound up on a collision course over the Northern Territory on Tuesday.

The two commercial flights were travelling on the same flight path and headed for one
another before the situation was corrected early on Tuesday morning.

A mid-air collision was only avoided after the crew of an Airbus A330, travelling south
to Melbourne from Hong Kong, questioned the air traffic controller, who confirmed there
had been a breakdown of separation standards.

A Boeing 737 was simultaneously headed north from Melbourne at the same height level
of 37,000 feet.

The Airbus was told to climb an extra 1,000 feet and divert its path slightly.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said the incident was serious and will prepare a report.

A bureau spokesman told AAP it was unlikely the planes had been close to colliding,
given neither of their automatic warning systems had been activated.

A final report should be completed by April, he said.

AAP cj/apm

KEYWORD: COLLISION

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