Air Traffic Controller Reportedly Placed Jets On A Collision Course

Two Qantas jets apparently narrowly avoided colliding in mid-air Friday when they came within about 900 feet of each other near Adelaide, Australia.

An air traffic controller apparently placed the aircraft, both A330s, on a collision course over Gulf St. Vincent south of Adelaide. The two airplanes were flying in opposite directions between Sydney and Perth.

The incident was the result of the controller granting a request from flight QF 581 traveling west clearance to a higher altitude. He apparently did not recognize that the action would place the westbound flight directly in the path of eastbound flight QF 576.

The pilot which requested the change responded to TCAS warnings, and took evasive action, according to a report appearing in the Australian newspaper The Advertiser.

The corrective action was apparently not noticed by the passengers aboard the plane. One told the paper that he had seen the other airplane pass directly beneath the A330 he was aboard, but did not find it to be unusual. Gary Martin said he just happened to look out the window on his Sydney-to-Perth flight and saw the other plane.

The pilots have chosen to remain anonymous. Qantas chief pilot Phil Green said they handled the situation "exactly as they have been trained to do." The airline did not say whether the TCAS systems took control of the airplanes to avoid the collision, or if it was the actions of the pilots.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has opened an investigation into the incident. The controller has been placed on leave pending the investigation.

(Qantas A330 pictured in file photo)

FMI: www.atsb.gov.au