A near mid-air crash at night between two planes has sparked calls for improvements to visibility measures and pilot communication, a new report outlines.
The two aircraft got “dangerously close” to crashing as they made final approaches towards Ardmore Airport, south of Auckland, during a night-time flight in October 2023.
The airport, which is about 5 kilometres southeast of Manurewa, is uncontrolled or unattended, meaning it operates without a control tower.
In a report released today, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) said a twin-engine Beech Duchess flew over a single-engine Cessna 172, missing it by about 20 feet, or 6 metres
The Cessna pilot initiated a “go-around” before both aircraft landed safely.
“The pilot flying and the instructor on the Beech were unaware of their proximity to the Cessna in the circuit,” the report said.
The Beech pilot was unaware how close they were to the Cessna because it was hard to see, even though they had the required lighting.
Both aircraft also flew different paths on final approach, increasing the risk of one aircraft not seeing the other, the report said.
“Contributing to the different vertical profiles flown was that a local altitude restriction for Ardmore Airport was published in their operations manual and not in the Aeronautical Information Publication New Zealand (AIPNZ) available to all pilots,” the report said.
There were two missed chances where radio calls could have helped the pilots detect the developing risk, TAIC said.
Chief investigator of accidents, Naveen Kozhuppakalam said the findings are relevant to every unattended aerodrome in New Zealand.
“There are unattended aerodromes all over the country, where pilots rely on aircraft visibility, shared airspace awareness, and good communication to stay safe. When those break down, so does the last line of defence against mid-air collisions,” he said.
The commission has made two recommendations to the Civil Aviation Authority following the incident.
These include further guidance on how to make aircraft easier to see at night and taking action to ensure all procedures applied by local aerodrome operators are recorded in the AIPNZ.
“The ability to clearly see another aircraft is also a pillar of ‘see and avoid’ at an unattended aerodrome. This can be difficult at night with aircraft fitted with olderstyle lighting. Aircraft conspicuity at night can be improved by installing modern lighting such as light-emitting-diode (LED) lighting,” the report said.
TAIC has previously investigated three fatal mid-air collisions at unattended aerodromes since 2008, all involving “breakdowns in radio communication and situational awareness”.
“This report is essential reading for anyone flying into or managing New Zealand’s busiest unattended aerodromes,” Kozhuppakalam said.
“Night or day, knowing where other aircraft are-and being seen-is non-negotiable.”
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