Qantas and Virgin Australia planes narrowly avoid colliding during wild weather over Brisbane

  • Two planes flew dangerously close in wild weather near Brisbane, last Thursday 
  • A loss of separation was reported involving a Qantas 737 and Virgin Australia 737
  • Australian Transport Safety Bureau and Airservices Australia are investigating
  • It's understood both aircraft were following directions from air traffic  controllers

By Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 19:11 EDT, 15 October 2018 | Updated: 23:58 EDT, 15 October 2018

Authorities are investigating why two planes flew dangerously close to each other in wild weather last week.

A Qantas 737 was flying into Brisbane from Melbourne as a Virgin Australia 737 departed Brisbane for Proserpine, Queensland.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and Airservices Australia have launched separate investigations into 'a loss of separation' between the aircrafts.

The incident happened last Thursday over the Ipswich suburb of Amberley, 66 kilometres from Brisbane Airport.

A Virgin Australia 737 (pictured) was involved in an incident with a Qantas aircraft last week after it left Brisbane bound for Proserpine in North Queensland

A Virgin Australia 737 (pictured) was involved in an incident with a Qantas aircraft last week after it left Brisbane bound for Proserpine in North Queensland

It's understood both planes were following directions from air traffic controllers, The Australian reported.

Airservices Australia was investigating the role of air traffic controllers in the incident.

'A loss of required separation was reported between two Boeing 737 aircraft near Amberley on 11 October 11,' a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.

'Controllers issued a weather diversion and approach clearance to the inbound aircraft, which resulted in a loss of separation with the departing aircraft.'

She wouldn't reveal the distance between the planes but said that significant safety margins were built into its systems.

The ATSB will conduct interviews as part of their investigation.

'A report will be published at the completion of the investigation,' said an ATSB statement.

'However, should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties.'

A Qantas spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia their crew 'followed air traffic control directions at all times'. 

A Qantas 737 (pictured bottom) was flying into Brisbane from Melbourne when it flew dangerously close to another aircraft departing Brisbane

A Qantas 737 (pictured bottom) was flying into Brisbane from Melbourne when it flew dangerously close to another aircraft departing Brisbane

A Virgin Australia spokeswoman added: 'Virgin Australia takes the safety of our aircraft, passengers and crew very seriously. The matter is currently being investigated by the ATSB and Virgin Australia will cooperate with this investigation.'

Airservices Australia's recently released annual report citing 'zero significant safety occurrences' in the 2017-18 financial year.

The latest incident came as dozens of flights from Sydney Airport were cancelled when two air traffic controllers called in sick last week.

Airservices Australia is investigating the role of air traffic controllers in the incident

Airservices Australia is investigating the role of air traffic controllers in the incident

There's a shortage of air traffic controllers worldwide, according to Civil Air Australia president Tom McRobert.

'We have lost some ­people overseas, and when ATC (air ­traffic control) was taken off the 457 visa list, that created ­issues for some international ­recruits,' he told The Australian. 

The Airservices spokeswoman denied understaffing claims and said that a national recruitment program was in place to ensure an 'adequate supply of controllers at all our locations'.

Advertisement

Qantas and Virgin Australia launches narrowly avoid colliding during a huge storm over Brisbane

Most watched News videos

Comments 4

Share what you think

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

What's This?

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.