Description

On 20 June 2010, a Boeing 737-800 being operated by New Zealand company Pacific Blue AL on a scheduled passenger flight from Auckland to Queenstown lost Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) separation assurance against a Boeing 737-800 being operated by Qantas on a scheduled passenger flight from Sydney to Queenstown whilst both aircraft were flying a go around following successive but different instrument approaches at their shared intended destination. There were no abrupt manoeuvres and none of the respectively 88 and 162 occupants of the two aircraft were injured.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC). Whilst the severity of the actual conflict which had occurred could not be defined in detail because of the non radar environment in which it occurred, the Commission determined that a full Investigation was appropriate because of the likelihood that the systemic risk highlighted by the occurrence was significant. It was noted that the air traffic controller on duty at Queenstown throughout the investigated event was under training and being supervised by an instructor.