Australia Probes Fourth Sydney Airport Close Call in Less Than a Month

Post by : Saif

Australia's transport safety regulator has launched an investigation into a fourth close call involving air traffic control at Sydney Airport in less than a month.

The latest incident occurred on Tuesday when two Qantas aircraft were directed toward the same intersection on the airport's ground.

A Qantas Airbus A321 preparing to fly to the Gold Coast was instructed to turn onto a taxiway that a Qantas Boeing 737 arriving from Melbourne had also been cleared to use.

The Airbus crew braked after seeing the other aircraft. Australia's Transport Safety Bureau said there was no immediate risk of a collision, but it opened an investigation to determine whether the latest incident shares contributing factors with three other events reported during the past month.

Investigation to Examine Air Traffic Control Procedures

Investigators will interview air traffic controllers and flight crews involved in the incident. They will also review available recorded data and collect other relevant information.

A preliminary report is expected within six to eight weeks.

The latest incident follows several other aviation safety events at Sydney Airport.

On July 27, two Qantas aircraft came close to a collision when a QantasLink Dash 8 completing a landing and a Qantas 737 were involved in a runway crossing conflict. The Boeing 737 stopped after passing the designated safety hold point.

Another incident occurred on August 9 when a Jetstar Airbus A320 suddenly braked on the tarmac to avoid a Qatar Airways Boeing 777. A cabin crew member was injured during the incident.

On the same day, a Virgin Australia Boeing 737 preparing for takeoff stopped after its pilots noticed a Qantas aircraft crossing the runway. Both aircraft had reportedly received clearance to proceed.

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Air Traffic Controllers Raise Concerns

The series of incidents comes as concerns have emerged about air traffic control procedures and changes to Sydney's airspace.

The transport safety bureau said it had received a report from an air traffic controller who raised concerns about staff preparedness for complex changes connected to the opening of a new international airport in western Sydney.

According to the report, more than 50 controllers participated in a union survey, with most expressing concern about the limited time available to study extensive and complex new procedures before the changes took effect on July 9.

The controller also highlighted similarities with concerns raised by air traffic control staff in Washington before a deadly midair collision in January 2025.

Authorities Defend Training and Safety Measures

Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority reviewed the concerns raised by the controller.

The authority concluded that Airservices Australia, which employs the country's air traffic controllers, had put appropriate training, procedures and operational support arrangements in place for the airspace changes.

The latest investigation will now examine whether there are common factors behind the four recent Sydney Airport incidents and whether additional safety measures may be needed.

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