Fourth Air Traffic Incident at Sydney Airport in a Month

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation into the fourth air traffic incident at Sydney Airport in less than a month. On 18 August, a Qantas Airbus A321neo registered VH-OGA, taxiing for a service to Melbourne, and a Boeing 737-800 registered VH-VXL arriving from the Gold Coast were directed towards the same taxiway intersection under the instructions they had been given. The A321 crew spotted the approaching Boeing 737 and stopped their aircraft. The ATSB reported that there was no direct risk of collision.

At Sydney Airport on 27 July, a QantasLink Dash 8 and a Qantas Boeing 737 came head to head on a runway, while on 9 August a Jetstar Airbus A320 and a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 under tow came dangerously close on the taxiways. A cabin crew member on board the A320 was slightly injured when the aircraft braked abruptly. On the same day, a Virgin Australia Boeing 737 rejected its take-off after the crew noticed another Qantas Boeing 737 crossing the runway.

The ATSB will interview air traffic controllers and flight crews and examine radio recordings and aircraft movement data to determine whether there is a common factor linking the four incidents. The investigation will also assess the airspace and procedural changes introduced on 9 July in preparation for the opening of Western Sydney Airport. A preliminary report is expected to be published within six to eight weeks.