VA 737 almost takes out some parachutists over Richmond.

[markis10]

Looks like significant issues with ATC were in play.

Investigation: AO-2011-142 - Loss of separation involving CASA C212-CC, VH-MQD, operating in the Richmond parachuting area, and Boeing 737-7BX, VH VBP, near Richmond Aerodrome, NSW, 5 November 2011

A Boeing Company 737-7BX (737) aircraft, registered VH-VBP, operating a scheduled passenger flight from Sydney, NSW to Cairns, Queensland, was cleared by ATC to track via Richmond, underneath the C212. A loss of separation occurred between the declared parachute operations area and the 737. At the time, the paratroopers had just exited the C212 and ATC issued the 737 flight crew, who were in the process of taking avoiding action, with a safety alert. The last paratrooper out of the aircraft reported that while in free fall and about 10 seconds after exiting the aircraft, they were at the same altitude as the 737, about 2,000 m away.

 

[joyvee]

Bet that increased the excitement of the jump. everything is happening so quickly. JoyV

 

[Boris spatsky]

I just don't see why ATC would clear the 737 under the 212 when they have the doors open - where does that fit in their risk assessment (or lack there of).

 

[markis10]

I just don't see why ATC would clear the 737 under the 212 when they have the doors open - where does that fit in their risk assessment (or lack there of).

The controller was not aware of the outbound departure which was with departures north with a trainee at the helm until the aircraft was handed over to approach west. The problem with such small area of control is the need to have some visibility on your actions and their effects on the next sector.

I used to occasionally get attempts to hand off traffic from departures where they had previously given me a high slow then try to give me a faster one climbing through the same level both tracking direct Wollongong or Marulan, which I refused until separation was assured. It's interesting to read the departures controller overseeing the trainee did not have an approach rating or familiarisation with Richmond and parachuting, when I worked at the Sydney AACC is was combined Approach and departures rating with a Military sector in the same room looking after Richmond etc.

Boundries of responsibility in terms of airspace can be tricky at times, and it's often where things will go wrong, such as over Zagreb many years ago.

 

[Boris spatsky]

The controller was not aware of the outbound departure which was with departures north with a trainee at the helm until the aircraft was handed over to approach west. The problem with such small area of control is the need to have some visibility on your actions and their effects on the next sector.

I used to occasionally get attempts to hand off traffic from departures where they had previously given me a high slow then try to give me a faster one climbing through the same level both tracking direct Wollongong or Marulan, which I refused until separation was assured. It's interesting to read the departures controller overseeing the trainee did not have an approach rating or familiarisation with Richmond and parachuting, when I worked at the Sydney AACC is was combined Approach and departures rating with a Military sector in the same room looking after Richmond etc.

Boundries of responsibility in terms of airspace can be tricky at times, and it's often where things will go wrong, such as over Zagreb many years ago.

Do you know how it works there now? My understanding is that it is still civil above 3000 ft (SY APP) and mil TWR controllers below (who are now both uniformed and contractors). So i guess that this was a confliction between two approach controllers potentially?

 

[markis10]

Do you know how it works there now? My understanding is that it is still civil above 3000 ft (SY APP) and mil TWR controllers below (who are now both uniformed and contractors). So i guess that this was a confliction between two approach controllers potentially?

Richmond is 0-2500, approach west looked after that up to FL280 along with R469 and R494, departures that day handled the 737 from tower to the Richmond area.