Vol. 508 No. 4
111 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to a recent report by British aviation investigators on the near collision by two Irish passenger jets north west of Luton airport on 14 August 1998 due to air traffic control problems at West Dray ton near Heathrow; and if she has satisfied herself on the adequacy of air traffic control arrangements in this area. [19332/99]
The report to which the Deputy refers was in fact published by the UK Civil Aviation Authority safety regulation group on behalf of the Joint Airprox Assessment Panel in November 1998. The incident concerned the loss of separation between two commercial passenger jet aircraft on the Irish register in the London area. The incident was reported by London ATC and one of the aircraft captains. The airspace around London is quite busy as we are all aware, and pilots and controllers being human, are all prone to error. However, as the report into the incident shows, the aircraft could see each other and took no avoiding action. The incident was fully investigated by the appropriate authorities. I am satisfied that while the UK air traffic services are very busy, their safety oversight and incident reporting and investigation systems ensure a safe environment for passenger aircraft.
Conclusions of InvestigationThe investigation concluded the airprox was caused by the London Air Traffic Control Centre Terminal Control North-West Departures controller who in a period of high workload, overlooked the presence of the BA 146 at FL90 (9,000 feet when clearing the B737 to climb through its level from Flight Level 80 to Flight Level 120 from 8,000 feet to 12,000 feet. It was considered fortuitous that the aircraft passed about 1m apart as the confliction was not apparent on radar and no remedial action was taken by the controller.
Review by Airprox Panel1.Discussion
The Joint Airprox Assessment Panel accepted the summary report of the CAA. This was a serious where separation was a matter of chance and there was evidence that the actual separation may have been less than was recorded.
2.Casual Factors
The London Air Traffic Control Centre Terminal Control North-West Departures controller did not take account of the BA 146 when clearing the B737 to climb.
3.Risk Classification
A
4.Recommendations
The panel had no recommendations to make.
